The Journey from One to 100

In July 2006, a 19-year-old Novak Djokovic claimed his first ATP title at the Dutch Open in Amersfoort. This modest clay-court event marked the beginning of a journey that would see Djokovic rise to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Ranked 36th in the world at the time, Djokovic defeated reigning Olympic champion Nicolas Massu in the final, with Massu noting the "spectacular potential" of his young opponent. Djokovic celebrated his victory with a bouquet of flowers in one hand and a silver-plated iPod in the other.

Building a Legacy

Djokovic's ascent continued as he won his first ATP Masters title in Miami in April 2007, followed by his first Grand Slam victory at the 2008 Australian Open. Despite a three-year gap before his next major win, Djokovic maintained a steady stream of titles. The year 2011 was a turning point; fueled by a gluten-free diet that he credits with transforming his career, Djokovic won his first 40 matches of the year and collected seven titles, including three of the four Grand Slams.

Becoming the Greatest

Djokovic has all but ended the debate over who is the greatest men's player of all time, at least in terms of numbers. He holds the record for the most Grand Slam titles (24), the most Grand Slam singles wins (382), the most ATP Masters titles (40), and the most weeks at the top of the ATP rankings (428). Djokovic is the only player to have won all nine Masters events twice, earning him the career Golden Masters. His Olympic gold at Paris 2024 completed his career 'Golden Slam,' a feat achieved by only five singles players.

Favorite Venues and Rivalries

Melbourne's Rod Laver Arena holds a special place in Djokovic's heart, where he has won the Australian Open a record 10 times. His all-court prowess is evident with victories on grass (Wimbledon), clay (Rome), and hard courts (Miami, Dubai, Beijing). Djokovic's rivalry with Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer has defined an era of tennis, with Nadal being the player Djokovic has beaten most often in finals.

What's Next for Djokovic?

With 100 titles under his belt, Djokovic's focus remains on Grand Slams. He aims to surpass Margaret Court's record of 24 Grand Slam titles and potentially overtake Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors in total ATP titles. Despite a challenging 2025 season marred by injury and coaching changes, Djokovic's motivation remains unwavering. As he stated at the Australian Open, "I think I can go toe-to-toe with the big guys. As long as that's the case, I guess I'll still feel the need to keep on competing."