Novak Djokovic Serbian Professional Tennis Player

Full Name:	Novak Djokovic
Born:	22 May 1987
Birthplace:	Belgrade, Serbia
Height:	6'2" (188 cm)
Residence:	Monte Carlo, Monaco
Weight:	176 lbs (80 kg)
Plays:	Right-handed (two-handed backhand)
Turned Pro:	2003
Coach:	Marian Vajda

Personal

Began playing at age four and made his pro debut at 16...Nicknamed Nole...Father, Srdjan and mother, Dijana own a pizzeria and pancake restaurant on a mountain in Serbia for last 15 years...He and his family opened a restaurant in Belgrade in April 2009 called "Novak"...Father, uncle and aunt were all professional skiers and his father was also an excellent soccer player...His father wanted him to be a soccer player or skier but excelled in tennis at an early age...Credits his family as inspiration for giving him so much support and says he wouldn’t be able to be where he is without their help...Younger brothers Marko (born Aug. 20, 1991) and Djordje (born July 17, 1995) are both in school and play tennis...Idol growing up was Pete Sampras...At age 12, attended Niki Pilic Academy in Munich and practiced there for almost two years before returning to Belgrade...Speaks Serbian, Italian, German and English.

Favorite surface is hard courts but considers himself an all around player...Best shot is backhand down the line...As a junior, advanced to Australian Open junior singles and doubles SF (w/Jenkins) in 2004...His family invited 50 underprivileged Kosovo-Serb children to Belgrade in September 2007 to be courtside for Serbia-Australia Davis Cup World Group tie... Appeared in September 2007 Vogue Magazine...Named 2006-07 ATP Most Improved Player of Year...Elected to two-year term in June 2008 to ATP Player Council...Works with physiotherapist Milan Amanovic and Gebhard Phil-Gritsch, who used to work with Austrian Thomas Muster...Coached by former ATP pro and Slovak Republic native Marian Vajda (since June 2006).

Career Highlights

2010 -- The Serb compiled another consistent year, finishing No. 3 for fourth year in a row, winning two ATP World Tour titles, reaching QFs or better in all four Grand Slam tournaments for first time in a season, including a final, while leading his country to Davis Cup title (d. France 3-2) for first time while going 7-0 in singles play…Also ranked No. 2 for 26 weeks during season…

Opened first month with QF at Australian Open (l. to Tsonga in five sets) and then went to No. 2 on Feb. 1…In February, reached SF in Rotterdam (l. to Youzhny) and then two weeks later in Dubai he successfully defended an ATP World Tour title for first time in his career, beating Youzhny in a rain-delayed final…He became second player in tournament history (since ‘93) to win back-to-back titles…In early March, he helped Serbia reach Davis Cup World Group QF by beating Americans Querrey (four sets) and Isner (five sets) in a 3-2 win in Belgrade…At Indian Wells*, his nine-match winning streak came to an end with 4th RD loss to eventual champion Ljubicic…Then lost his opening round match (after a bye) in Miami* to O. Rochus in three sets…

During clay court circuit, lost to Verdasco in SF in Monte-Carlo* and QF in Rome*…At his hometown tournament in Belgrade, reached QF but retired due to illness and allergies after losing first set to wild card Krajinovic…Pulled out of Madrid* following week due to illness…At Roland Garros, fell to Melzer in five sets in QF after holding a two-set lead…In June at Queen's Club in London, lost to Malisse in 3rd RD but won doubles title (w/Erlich)…Went on to reach SF at Wimbledon for second time (’07) but fell short against Berdych…Participated in latest finish at All England Club in his 1st RD match against O. Rochus, which ended at 10:59 p.m. under roof and lights on Centre Court…Afterwards, returned to No. 2 and was there for six weeks…One week later, he helped Serbia reach its first Davis Cup SF with a win over Croatia, defeating Ljubicic and Cilic in straight sets…In mid-August in Toronto*, lost to Federer in three sets in SF…

Year In Review

2011

Played ITF Hopman Cup for Serbia...In his first tour-level event of year, he lifted his second Grand Slam trophy and second title at the Australian Open, beating Federer in SFs and Murray 64 62 63 in Melbourne final...Improved to a 2-2 record in major finals...

Returned to action three weeks later with victory in Dubai, defeated Federer 63 63 in the final...Became the sixth active player to win 20 tour-level titles (20-13 finals record) and joined four-time former champion Federer as the only players to have won three successive titles in Dubai...Skipped 1st RD of Serbia's Davis Cup title defence due to fatigue...

Improved to a career-best 20-match winning streak as he raced to victory at ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Indian Wells...Reached the SFs without dropping a set before beating Federer 63 36 62 and Nadal 46 63 62 to win the title...It was his second victory at Indian Wells and marked his 21st tour-level title and his sixth ATP World Tour Masters 1000 crown...After beating Federer in the SFs he regained the World No. 2 spot for the first time since 11 October 2010...

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