Eyes slapped shut as the sun rises beyond him, a meditating Novak Djokovic steadfastly smacks his chest, his arms and his legs. Then, cutting to the customary docuseries interview chair-of-doom, the Serb says: "I cannot say I feel content with what I have and who I am. I am always looking to be more: better, faster, stronger."
If you had to envisage how a 92-minute documentary about one of world sport's most successful stars begins, these snippets would not follow the status quo. Yet 24-time major winner Djokovic doesn't do status quo: he is an athlete, an enigma, known as much for his greatness on court as his nonconformity off it. Think Melbourne tree-hugging; think magic potions; think no Covid vaccine.
For Djokovic's The Wolf in Winter fly-on-the-wall movie released last week, as "Prime Video Sports Presents" and "A Film By Jason Hehir" entrance frames are enveloped by clips of Djokovic literally howling into the distance, it all feels rather appropriate. Much like Rafael Nadal's Netflix series earlier this year, it is a genuinely insightful and engaging look at one of tennis' all-time greats. If you haven't watched it yet, consider this a gentle nudge of encouragement.
The timing is conspicuous, too, ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season in New York, starting on Sunday. The US Open marks three years since Djokovic's last major triumph, in a 2023 campaign where he won three of the big four and only missed out on a historic calendar Grand Slam in a final-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
At that point, a record-breaking 25th singles Grand Slam – which would put him ahead of Margaret Court at the top of the all-time standings, male or female – seemed a simple inevitability. Yet now, this is Djokovic's 12th Grand Slam, chasing that elusive No 25. But it might just be his best shot.
#djokovic #think #court #major
If you had to envisage how a 92-minute documentary about one of world sport's most successful stars begins, these snippets would not follow the status quo. Yet 24-time major winner Djokovic doesn't do status quo: he is an athlete, an enigma, known as much for his greatness on court as his nonconformity off it. Think Melbourne tree-hugging; think magic potions; think no Covid vaccine.
For Djokovic's The Wolf in Winter fly-on-the-wall movie released last week, as "Prime Video Sports Presents" and "A Film By Jason Hehir" entrance frames are enveloped by clips of Djokovic literally howling into the distance, it all feels rather appropriate. Much like Rafael Nadal's Netflix series earlier this year, it is a genuinely insightful and engaging look at one of tennis' all-time greats. If you haven't watched it yet, consider this a gentle nudge of encouragement.
The timing is conspicuous, too, ahead of the final Grand Slam of the season in New York, starting on Sunday. The US Open marks three years since Djokovic's last major triumph, in a 2023 campaign where he won three of the big four and only missed out on a historic calendar Grand Slam in a final-set defeat to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon.
At that point, a record-breaking 25th singles Grand Slam – which would put him ahead of Margaret Court at the top of the all-time standings, male or female – seemed a simple inevitability. Yet now, this is Djokovic's 12th Grand Slam, chasing that elusive No 25. But it might just be his best shot.
#djokovic #think #court #major
14 days ago
