Have you ever doubted yourself?
Has self-doubt ever held you back?
Today, Jay welcomes back tennis GOAT, Olympic Gold medallist and 24 Grand Slams singles titles winner Novak Djokovic for a deep and vulnerable conversation about what it truly takes to master both the external and internal journey to success. Novak reflects on the practices instilled in him from childhood: visualization, journaling, meditation, and even listening to classical music, that became the foundation of his holistic approach to self-care and peak performance. He shares how these early lessons influenced his career and his outlook on growth, spirituality, and resilience, helping him see tennis not just as a sport but as a path to becoming a better person.
Together, Jay and Novak explore the hidden battles that come with chasing greatness, including the pressure of expectation, the tension between ego and humility, and the deep-rooted feelings of not being enough that fueled Novakโs drive from a young age. Novak opens up about the struggles of injury, criticism, and hostile environments, and how he learned to transform those moments into opportunities for growth. He emphasizes that even at the height of his career, the real work is internal, practicing surrender, emotional regulation, and presence; reminding us that success is as much about mastering the mind as it is about winning titles.
In this interview, you'll learn:
How to Build Mental Strength Like a Champion
How to Turn Pain Into Purpose
How to Practice Surrender and Let Go
How to Use Visualization to Shape Your Future
How to Find Balance Between Ego and Humility
How to Recover From Setbacks With Resilience
How to Create Daily Habits for Inner Peace
Every challenge, setback, and victory is an opportunity to reflect, strengthen your resilience, and tap into the strength you already have. Remember, real success isnโt just about achievements, itโs about how you live, how you grow, and the impact you leave behind.
With Love and Gratitude,
Jay Shetty
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What We Discuss:
00:00 Intro
03:24 What It Really Takes to Achieve Success
06:40 How Tennis Taught Me to Evolve Off the Court
10:59 Even the Greatest Can Feel Inadequate
13:54 Wellness For Tennis Players
17:35 Setting New Goals After Reaching Peak Success
20:34 How Survival Shapes a Successful Mindset
28:51 The Power of Surrender and Letting Go
33:20 Emotions Are Necessary
38:06 Becoming the Legend You Once Admired
48:18 Living with Appreciation, Compassion, and Respect
51:10 How to Handle Failure with Grace
56:57 It's Okay to Be Bored
01:00:31 Not All Distractions Are Bad
01:02:05 Protecting Your Mindset from Social Media
01:04:01 The Pressure on Men to Hide Vulnerability
01:08:29 Finding Unity Through Sports
01:12:58 The Greatest Life Lessons from Sports
01:16:00 Overcoming the Worst Injury of His Career
01:23:17 Why Injury Is Every Athleteโs Greatest Enemy
01:29:43 Whatโs Next for Novak?
01:44:52 Novak on Final Five
Episode Resources:
https://novakdjokovic.com/en/
https://www.instagram.com/djokernole/
https://www.facebook.com/djokovicofficial
https://x.com/DjokerNole
https://www.tiktok.com/@djokernole
https://www.instagram.com/jayshetty
https://www.facebook.com/jayshetty/
https://x.com/jayshetty
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shettyjay/
https://www.youtube.com/@JayShettyPodcast
http://jayshetty.me
๐ Transcript
Transcribing... This may take a few minutes.
Top Comments
@mafija26
This is Djokovic's best interview ever, he has never spoken more openly about himself and his life than in this podcast. just wow, so inspirational
2244 likes
@TB-wo7ml
The pride of our country ๐ท๐ธ
2471 likes
@darionikoloski6745
OMG, this man is so deeply intelligent. The most clever and self-analyzed sportsman in the world. Eloquence, but not even one empty word. He is like the best sport professor in the world. I am so sad that still there are people that are not able to recognize his priceless mind. You don't have to be his fan, but you must appreciate this magnificent and honest man.
1108 likes
@adept_explorer
Before seeing this interview, I only knew Novak as a tennis player, but now I realise that there is Novak the entrepreneur, Novak the philosopher, Novak the environmental advocate, Novak the wellness advocate, and many more....
189 likes
@KateRadojkovic
Thereโs only one Novak Djokovic ๐ ๐ท๐ธ
191 likes
@Lucas51192
I could listen to Djokovic all day. He's so smart, insightful and well spoken ๐๐๐๐๐
246 likes
@SH-jg5zq
Djokovic is a very special person! Few people have that strenght of character.
970 likes
@LukeWaters-ou5rz
31 minutes in and this the best podcast Iโve ever listened to
683 likes
@duyt2226
The most well spoken tennis player we will ever have ladies and gentlemen ๐
108 likes
@goranmanojlovic982
He is by far outpacing and outsmarting all his rivals both on the court and off the court. He is one of a rare professional athletes capable of articulating so consciously complex topics related to inner self and psychology. As a whole he is an outstanding human being with with a heart at the right place. Very inspiring!
Idemo โค
276 likes
@joshawott3323
When he refused to fold even as the world did with the vaccine, I knew he was my GOAT. It takes real courage to stand by what you believe is right in the face of public scrutiny
1029 likes
@meerak90
His "tennis mother" sounds amazing for bringing classical music, poetry, journaling, visualization etc into his practice!
577 likes
@sonyashields
I had no idea he is such a phenomenal human. I just loved watching him play tennis. Loved this interview and I am now a bigger fan.
294 likes
@AshishKumar-zu3iq
The greatest athlete of all time
63 likes
@alyel6
As a fan of Novak Djokovic, I see him not only as one of the greatest athletes but also as an outstanding person. He is a man of his word, a deep thinker, and a true inspiration. His interviews show his authentic side and encourage us to become better versions of ourselves. I am grateful to this channel for giving us the chance to know him more deeply. I have been his fan for over ten years, and such videos motivate me to keep moving forward๐๐ป๐พ