Novak Djokovic: The greatest of all time

by Dominic Bliss

Explore the incredible life of Novak Djokovic – from his boyhood in war-torn Serbia to his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open. Find out more about the world’s #1 male tennis player in this stunningly illustrated biography.

Join expert tennis journalist Dominic Bliss, for an up-close look at the unbelievable talent of a player destined for greatness. Djokovic’s extraordinary achievements include iconic moments such as becoming the first man in the Open Era to achieve a double Career Grand Slam in singles, and the only man in tennis history to be the reigning champion of the four majors at once across three different surfaces.

Novak The greatest of all time recounts the tennis legend’s remarkable ascent to sporting glory
  A riveting account of Djokovic’s life and career, from his childhood in Serbia, when his unparalleled talent was recognized, to being the biggest name in tennis with a fan base of over 10 million. Large, full-colour photographs from past and present illuminating his astonishing record-breaking career. Clear and insightful infographics analysing Djokovic’s playing style, and retellings of his top 10 best matches so you can recreate the most important moments of tennis history. 
With this captivating biography, find inspiration in the exceptional spirit and determination that led Djokovic to go on to win 24 Grand Slam men's singles titles, 96 ATP singles titles and a record breaking 390+ weeks ranking as No.1.

Complete your collection of all-time greats with Rafa The King of the Court, and Fedegraphica which follow the incredible life and career of Djokovic’s ultimate rivals.

313 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 27, 2024

Reviews

[Elizabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book provided an overview of the legendary tennis player Novak Djokovic's career. I liked how it analyzed some of his career's most significant matches. Dominic did a good job setting the stage by providing some background information regarding Novak's early years and the factors that inspired him to become the best of all time.

Although he did a fantastic job of breaking it down so that someone like me could still comprehend the seriousness of how important these matches were and what was at stake, I must admit that I am not a major tennis fan and was not familiar with some of the matches that were discussed in this book. The book left me wanting more stories and details at times, so I wouldn't have minded if it had been a little bit longer.

Thank you to NetGalley for an eARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Yousif Al Zeera · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not just a tennis biography — but a meditation on obsession, discipline, and defiance. Djokovic is portrayed not merely as a champion, but as a man forged in resistance: against crowds, rivals, even history itself. Records fall, but what remains is hunger. Relentless. Unapologetic. Greatness here feels less like talent — more like war.

[James · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not a good read. Feel like most of it was composed of second-hand information that could've been gleaned from the internet. Very little content actually of his early life in Serbia.

[Abraham O'Coffey · Rating 2 out of 5]

Read like a Wikipedia article.

[szyszka_czyta · Rating 4 out of 5]

„Novak Djoković. Tenisista wszech czasów” to biografia o jednym z najsłynniejszych tenisistów ostatniej ery tenisa. Jego osiągnięcia są dla wielu imponujące oraz nigdy nie osiągalne, wszak jako jedyny męski singlista ma na koncie zwycięstwo w aż 24 wielkich szlemach! Do tego dochodzi tegoroczne osiągnięcie, jako najstarszy gracz zdobył olimpijskie złoto. Niestety, kiedy zejdzie ze sceny ostatni z wielkiej trójki, tenis nigdy nie będzie już na takim poziomie.

Książka jest podzielona na dziesięć rozdziałów i w każdym z nich dowiadujemy się najważniejszych informacji na temat tenisisty. Tekst rozdzielają piękne zdjęcia uwieczniające najważniejsze momenty z życia Novaka. We wszystkich rozdziałach znajdziemy mnóstwo cytatów z jego autobiografii „Serwuj, aby wygrać”.

Książkę rozpoczyna rozdział o dzieciństwie w cieniu wojny w Jugosławii. Dowiadujemy się jak wyglądała jego rzeczywistość podczas nalotów bombowych oraz jak wyglądały wtedy początki jego gry w tenisa. Wraz z kolejnymi rozdziałami przechodzimy przez jego porywającą historię wielkiego talentu, żądzy zwycięstwa i miłości do tenisa.

Czytamy o jego roli w społeczeństwie serbskim; zespole i rodzinie, bez których nie byłby w tym miejscu w którym jest; biznesowej stronie i planach na przyszłość, po karierze sportowej; filozofii i stylu życia oraz stylu gry. Nie brakuje również rozdziału o jego kontrowersyjnej decyzji podjętej podczas pandemii. Mamy też opisy niektórych ważnych dla jego kariery meczów. Kilka z nich miałam okazję oglądać, więc powrót do tych momentów wywołuje nostalgię.

W książce nie brakuje kilku smaczków, o których nie miałam pojęcia. Jeśli chcecie się dowiedzieć w jakim filmie zagrał Novak, albo który kraj złożył mu ofertę zmiany obywatelstwa, koniecznie sięgnijcie po książkę.

[Swiezakksiazkowy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Novak Djokovic jest tenisistą nietuzinkowym. Jedni go kochają, a inni nienawidzą. Przez ponad 20 lat swojej kariery udowodnił, że nigdy nie można go spisywać na straty. Kiedy zdawało się, że kariera zbliża się ku końcowi, on niczym feniks z popiołów potrafił powstać i odrodzić się na korcie, ale też poza nim. Jego monumentalne zwycięstwa, kontrowersyjne opinie i walka o poprawę bytu mniej znanych tenisistów elektryzują tenisowe środowisko. 

O tym wszystkim w swojej książce pisze Dominic Bliss prezentując karierę tenisisty, który uznawany jest obecnie za najlepszego tenisistę wszechczasów ze względu na ilość wygranych turniejów wielkoszlemowych. Jeszcze do niedawna walka trwała między nim a Rafaelem Nadalem i Rogerem Federerem. Jednak Novak wygrywając 24 szlemy, wyprzedził swoich wielkich rywali, którzy w tym momencie już zakończyli swoje kariery.

Niezwykła to była lektura, polecam fanom tenisa ale też osobom zainteresowanym wielkimi osobistościami sportu. Autor opisuje życie Novaka od ogarniętego wojną Belgradu do ścieżki na sam szczyt. Przedstawia funkcję rodziny i miejsce pochodzenia, które odgrywają dużą rolę w jego motywacji osiągnięcia sukcesu. 

Przepięknie wydana, świetnie podsumowuje nie tylko karierę Novaka ale też krajobraz światowego tenisa na najwyższym poziomie. Polecam.

Dziękuję wydawnictwu za egzemplarz książki.

[Tanner Olson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was an overview of Novak Djokovic’s career as a tennis legend. I enjoyed how it broke down some of the most important matches of his career. Dominic did a nice job leading with some details about Novak’s early life and what caused him to be so motivated to be the greatest of all time.

I am not a huge tennis fan so I was unfamiliar with some of the matches that were talked about in this book but he did a good job of breaking it down so someone like myself could still understand the gravity of how important these matches were and what was at stake. I wouldn’t have minded the book being a little bit longer, as it left me grasping for more details and stories at times.

The photos used in this book were absolutely stunning and did an awesome job of assisting with the story telling.

This book was provided to me by Quarto Publishing Group-Ivy Press and NetGalley in exchange for my honest and fair opinion.

[Lakyn Husinka · Rating 3 out of 5]

Over the past few years I have become more interest in tennis and started following the career of Novak. As soon as I saw this book I knew I had to read it and gain a better insight into the rest of gif career/ upbringing.
This biography covers keys moments in this life from childhood, to his early tournament days, to when he was married, and finally to the 2023 season.
The information itself was enjoyable and insightful but overall I felt this book was disorganized. While the chapters were in chronological order, each ended with a focus on one of Novak’s previous matches. And while I enjoyed these more detailed recaps, most of them were from a different year than what the chapter focused on. There were also many pictures and graphs/ diagrams that had weird placement so cutting in the middle of a sentence and could have been better and the end of a complete thought or chapter.
Thank you net galley for the free advanced copy!!

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have been lucky to have seen Novak live at Queens, Wimbledon and at the ATP finals at the O2 in London so have followed his tennis career with great interest, so was super excited to be asked by NetGalley to review this biography.
The book covers his childhood and playing tennis at 4 years old then going to tennis club and the effects of the Kosova war and the sacrifices his father made to get Novak into professional tennis.

The author explores keys moments in Novaks life from his childhood, to his early tournament days Olympics, to getting married up to 2023 tennis season.

The book is quite factual - this is not Novaks autobiography so the reader cannot delve into the person, but none the less this is a book for fans who have followed his career and may have watched Wimbledon for the first time in 2023.

Good collection of photos which makes the book stand out even more.

Recommended read.

[Keziah✨ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I started getting into Tennis last year and I loved watching Novak on the court, hence my excitement when I saw this this book. I saw this book as an opportunity to get myself more acquainted with the player and it did not disappoint! It took me on a journey of exploring his childhood, to understanding the impacts of winning some major tournaments to discussing what the future holds for this exceptional player. The graphics in this book were incredible and I appreciated that the author described each picture to help understand the pictures more clearly.
Thank you NetGalley for this free copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Background · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a sports fan, hell, not even a tennis fan. But I absolutely loved this book that shows the human side of this person who dedicated his whole life to the sport.

Early stories, personal anecdotes and his struggles show his mental strength that reflects in his beautiful game and strong personality. How he overcome a adversities in a wartorn country and proved his mettle through sheer hardworking is mind-boggling to say the least. Give it a read of you are a fan of scintillating biographies.

Overall, a book book about a great man. Have fun!

[Alice D'Arrigo · Rating 4 out of 5]

The aesthetic of this book is SO fascinating: a bright cover and, above all, a series of marvellous pictures inside.
However, the text could have been more interesting: it's a list of well-known facts about Novak's biography with very few observations or critical comments. Nothing new.
I would've appreciated a more introspective view or a focus on Novak's mindset.

[Kyri · Rating 5 out of 5]

Off all his biographies, this one is definitely the most personal and enriched with stunning photos and concise facts of probably the greatest sportsman of this era and not just the greatest tennis player of all time.

[Markus · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

[Enzo · Rating 3 out of 5]

Buona carrellata di foto e rivisitazioni delle tappe principali della sua carriera, suddivisi in capitoli tematici molto chiari e un po' banali per chi conosce un po' la sua storia.

[CherylR · Rating 5 out of 5]

Short Novak bio

I am a real Novak fan so I enjoyed this short book. I knew almost everything in the book as I read all I can regarding Novak.

[Inga · Rating 3 out of 5]

człowiek niesamowity, niesamowite osiągnięcia, ale sama książka mało mięsista