Novak Djokovic’s success and fitness credited to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by Victoria Azarenka’s trainer

Djokovic had a massive turnaround in 2018 after suffering an almost career-ending injury in 2017.

Novak Djokovic’s success and fitness credited to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by Victoria Azarenka’s trainer

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer (images via IMAGO)

The amazement around Novak Djokovic‘s incredible fitness routine continues to stun not only fans but professional trainers too. The World No. 1 has been one of the fittest players on the Tour for a while now.

Much of this credit goes to his timely decision to make a change in his diet and lifestyle. After suffering various setbacks with a nearly career-ending injury in 2017, Nole was ready to retire at the age of 31. But after much convincing by his family, especially his wife Jelena, he returned. 

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Since then, he has won 12 Grand Slam singles titles and looks likely to add more. Speaking about this, two-time Major winner Victoria Azarenka‘s trainer, Francis Bougy, praised the Serb. He rather made an interesting observation about the contribution of the Big 3 to each other’s success.

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Djokovic had broken through the rest of the Tour to join Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal as the biggest players on the Tour. Nole’s entry made it a three-way battle for the top spot and honors in the sport.

The trio have combined won 66 Grand Slam titles in singles, with the King of Melbourne Park leading the charts with 24 major titles to his name. But for this to happen, the fitness coach found both Federer and Nadal equally responsible. 

For Djokovic, I’m really impressed about with what he does. In the last 5-6 years, I believe Nadal is there because Federer pushed him to be better. And, I believe Djokovic is there because Federer and Nadal just set up the bar. And, then he said I just wanna go higher and succeed doing that. But the way he does it, to me it’s I’ve never seen a player like that.
Said Bougy speaking with Essentially Sports.
He’s never imbalanced when he hits the shot, he’s always under control. It looks easy again, it looks talented, and it looks like smooth. But the work behind that is to be able to coordinate, the information taking to see what you need to do, where you need to go, and how. It’s impressive, it’s impressive.
Added the coach further.

What was Novak Djokovic’s injury in 2017-18?

Djokovic picked up an injury to his elbow in 2017. As a result, he could not play at his highest level. Following his quarter-final defeat at the 2017 Wimbledon, he ended his season with more than four months left.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (image via The New York Times)

He thus missed that year’s US Open, his first absence at a Grand Slam event since he made his debut in 2005 at the highest tier of the competition. The injury caused him severe pain, especially during service and hitting the forehand.

With limited mobility and consistent pain, it became impossible for him to continue. Despite missing nearly half of the 2017 season, his comeback in 2018 was worrying. He failed to reach a single final until the 2018 Queen’s Club Championships. He, however, lost to Marin Cilic in a closely fought three-setter.

He, however, stunned everyone a few weeks later at the 2018 Wimbledon Championships. Ranked 21st in the Major, he made his way to the finals and went on to defeat Kevin Anderson to win the title. It was his first title in over a year, having lost the Eastbourne event in 2017. 

Nole would go on to win Wimbledon for the next three editions. His winning streak came to an end at the 2023 Wimbledon when Carlos Alcaraz beat him in a sensational final to win his maiden title at the All-England Club.

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