Will Novak's holistic approach to tennis change the sport?

[uscwang]

Novak has discussed his holistic approach to tennis many times. For me, he projects as much an image of a gluten-free chef, a yoga guru, a chess player, a linguist, or a meditation master, as an image of a racquet-waving athlete. Even at a young age, Novak was exposed to classical music and poems by his coach, Jelena Gencic (Somehow, I can't quite imagine Seles, who was also coached by Gencic, receiving the same kind of education.)
Many fans rely on match records for their discussion. But Novak's tennis is so much more than points won and lost on court. It is more about LIFE on and off court. He is so disciplined off court that he can be loose on court. He is so inquisitive and vibrant off court that he can be confident and calm on court. He will likely outlive (career-wise), outfit, "outthink", and "outenjoy" ALL players of his generation, give or take 5 years.
The questions are, where is he going to take tennis? Will his influence change how next-generation players approach tennis and life?
Amen.

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

Let's not go overboard, but I think a holistic approach to life in the broad sense is enriching and can help to heighten one's awareness, focus, creativity, and productivity. I don't think Djokovic's path has necessarily been better or more fruitful than Federer's also seemingly balanced, forward thinking and thoroughly professional approach, nor Nadal's deeply philosophical albeit sometimes destructive approach.

You paint a romantic picture though which is almost half as good as my avatar.

There are plenty of role models in tennis.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Tennis has been there for more than 100 years so no there is nothing different in Djokovic's approach than anyone else. He is just consumate professional like Federer AND NADAL.

 

[cockneyDjoker]

Nothing wrong with the way he acts, it shows he has passion and a winners mentallity, this approach has won him 10 grands slams, he also shows great sportsmanship when he loses aswell and conducts himself with class and dignity, he shouldn't have to change for anyone, ever.

 

[Sysyphus]

A linguist?

Yes. Cunning linguists will now be an essential part of every serious player's team. The key to success.

In more seriousness, while Novak is obviously extremely perfectionist, an astounding number of athletes from the national junior level and upwards are extremely dedicated in all spheres of their performance, so I don't think Novak will change this all that much. They plan their eating, control their sleep, take flexibility seriously, put in all the hours on the court and in the gym.

Linguistics, chess and poetry will probably not become a staple to this routine.

Just my cents and nickels.

 

[Deleted member 716271]

He's the most professional seeming player imo

 

[Nathaniel_Near]

In terms of whether Djokovic might set some trends outside of how he plays the game, there might be something to say for how he goes about his schedule, but it would probably only apply to the very top players, and I'm doubtful it would catch on.

 

[smoledman]

Federer speaks more languages fluently and is known as THE renaissance man of tennis. So if Novak wants to be Yoga-man, so be it.

 

[nolefam_2024]

Federer speaks more languages fluently and is known as THE renaissance man of tennis. So if Novak wants to be Yoga-man, so be it.

Agreed with all except Federer speaking more languages fluently.

 

[smoledman]

Agreed with all except Federer speaking more languages fluently.

He speaks German, English & French fluently. Novak only speaks Serbian fluently. His English is still very medium-ish and he doesn't have any 3rd language. Nadal is a total joke linguistically speaking.

 

[MichaelNadal]

Ultron plugs himself into a charger, don't believe the hype.

 

[MichaelNadal]

He speaks German, English & French fluently. Novak only speaks Serbian fluently. His English is still very medium-ish and he doesn't have any 3rd language. Nadal is a total joke linguistically speaking.

Nadal speaks catalan, Spanish, VERY passable English (with a thick accent, sure), some French and Italian. Have SEVERAL seats.

 

[Doctor/Lawyer Red Devil]

Novak's perfectionist approach is really great, but not for every athlete. It takes a lot of will and demands you to sacrifice a lot in order to even partially succeed.

He speaks German, English & French fluently. Novak only speaks Serbian fluently. His English is still very medium-ish and he doesn't have any 3rd language. Nadal is a total joke linguistically speaking.

Medium-ish? It is fluent. Not as fluent as someone to whom English is the first language but fluent still.
Also, he speaks German and Italian while he is average in French.

Nadal speaks catalan, Spanish, VERY passable English (with a thick accent, sure), some French and Italian. Have SEVERAL seats.

Not sure about all of that, but I know Rafa is the best translator from English to English.

 

[Noelan]

Novak holistic aproach is great for him, but it is very difficult to implement in real life. You have to have enormous resurces to get yourself in that position - good health, special kind of mindset, support from family and close to you people , a lot of money and WILL to sacrifice some of hedonistic impulses in human nature for something that you consider as greater purpose.
Perhaps the great athletes in the future will have such general approach to sport and life itself, but not now. I would say Novak is ahead of his time in that and as such is subject of the criticism from mediocrity . You can already see that hes portraited as a robot among tennis mainstream fans , some vile lunatic who is there to destroy their concept of "pure talent and innate class" as the ultimate reason for great success in sport like tennis.

 

[Poisoned Slice]

 

[uscwang]

Novak holistic aproach is great for him, but it is very difficult to implement in real life. You have to have enormous resurces to get yourself in that position - good health, special kind of mindset, support from family and close to you people , a lot of money and WILL to sacrifice some of hedonistic impulses in human nature for something that you consider as greater purpose.
Perhaps the great athletes in the future will have such general approach to sport and life itself, but not now. I would say Novak is ahead of his time in that and as such is subject of the criticism from mediocrity . You can already see that hes portraited as a robot among tennis mainstream fans , some vile lunatic who is there to destroy their concept of "pure talent and innate class" as the ultimate reason for great success in sport like tennis.

I think what Novak is doing is well within, say the budget of a middle-class family. Yoga and meditation are not expensive activities, although they could be. Smart eating is more expensive than McDonald's but still quite affordable.
But of course, not all tennis pros can afford these kinds of distraction from tennis. It will probably apply only to the top talents who want to take tennis places.

 

[crazyups]

I think what Novak is doing is well within, say the budget of a middle-class family. Yoga and meditation are not expensive activities, although they could be. Smart eating is more expensive than McDonald's but still quite affordable.
But of course, not all tennis pros can afford these kinds of distraction from tennis. It will probably apply only to the top talents who want to take tennis places.

Novak listens to classical music before matches. Good move in my opinion because it raises the cognitive level which is useful during a match and it also relaxes him. Novak is an intelligent guy taking a generally intelligent approach to his training.

 

[BeatlesFan]

Novak has discussed his holistic approach to tennis many times. For me, he projects as much an image of a gluten-free chef, a yoga guru, a chess player, a linguist, or a meditation master...

How do you know any of this is true? Serious query. Do you really believe 2011 was brought about because Nole stopped eating pizza? Are people really that naïve? His media hype, his Facebook and his public comments could all be completely BS, as they are for most professional athletes. Do you believe when professional basketball players claim they are faithful to their wives?

You made the salient point, but did so unwittingly: "he projects an IMAGE." Image is so far removed from reality it's not even funny. All of these guys do this because their handlers realize it's a way to enhance their appeal and their brand.

Fed's image has been painstakingly constructed by Nike and his other lucrative sponsors. Nadal's image is one of a humble guy who loves Xisca (even though they are almost never together when he's on tour) and lives with his family quietly.

For all we know, Nadal is closeted and spends his intimate nights with Pico. Fed could be cheating on Mirka every chance he gets. Nole could be... anything... in his private life. Confusing their images with reality is a serious mishap in judgment.

 

[OhYes]

How do you know any of this is true? Serious query. Do you really believe 2011 was brought about because Nole stopped eating pizza? Are people really that naïve? His media hype, his Facebook and his public comments could all be completely BS, as they are for most professional athletes. Do you believe when professional basketball players claim they are faithful to their wives?

You made the salient point, but did so unwittingly: "he projects an IMAGE." Image is so far removed from reality it's not even funny. All of these guys do this because their handlers realize it's a way to enhance their appeal and their brand.

Fed's image has been painstakingly constructed by Nike and his other lucrative sponsors. Nadal's image is one of a humble guy who loves Xisca (even though they are almost never together when he's on tour) and lives with his family quietly.

For all we know, Nadal is closeted and spends his intimate nights with Pico. Fed could be cheating on Mirka every chance he gets. Nole could be... anything... in his private life. Confusing their images with reality is a serious mishap in judgment.

It's better to be that "naive" than to call people names for taking things as they really are. If Novak isn't doing what he is doing "because of public", how do you explain his body change from 2010 till today ? He is pretty thin for somebody who hasn't change his life and diet. Did he found some new drug that reduces body weight but gives extra strength and endurance ?
One thing is to be a fan, but something different is when you hate other player so much that you start seeing things which are not there. You will rather portrait Novak as a drug user than clean, happy, successful family guy.
It's not that Novak fans are naive, it's more like you are blinded by hate.

 

[Deleted member 743561]

Federer speaks more languages fluently and is known as THE renaissance man of tennis. So if Novak wants to be Yoga-man, so be it.

That facility with language has always impressed me, but it is also (I think) pretty standard for Swiss to be tri-lingual. Think they speak Swiss-German, German, and English by default (also French?). Anyway, it is interesting that Fed comes across as so cultured, polished, etc. as I believe he is not college-educated. I am sure that is the case for many of them. And an aside: at least the American pros these days seem to have honed their craft in college programs; they do get a later start on the tour, but it probably prolongs their careers some.

 

[vernonbc]

Novak has discussed his holistic approach to tennis many times. For me, he projects as much an image of a gluten-free chef, a yoga guru, a chess player, a linguist, or a meditation master, as an image of a racquet-waving athlete. Even at a young age, Novak was exposed to classical music and poems by his coach, Jelena Gencic (Somehow, I can't quite imagine Seles, who was also coached by Gencic, receiving the same kind of education.)
Many fans rely on match records for their discussion. But Novak's tennis is so much more than points won and lost on court. It is more about LIFE on and off court. He is so disciplined off court that he can be loose on court. He is so inquisitive and vibrant off court that he can be confident and calm on court. He will likely outlive (career-wise), outfit, "outthink", and "outenjoy" ALL players of his generation, give or take 5 years.
The questions are, where is he going to take tennis? Will his influence change how next-generation players approach tennis and life?
Amen.

Yikes. You're approaching Federer fanaticism levels with this like those people carrying signs that they worship at the church of Roger.

 

[smoledman]

For all we know Fed enjoys being butt-****ed with a strap-on by Kohlschrieber.

 

[rossi46]

He speaks German, English & French fluently. Novak only speaks Serbian fluently. His English is still very medium-ish and he doesn't have any 3rd language. Nadal is a total joke linguistically speaking.

Federer's mother's native tongue is English so it must have been easier for him to learn it. Djokovic's English is very good when you consider it's not his native tongue. Djokovic speaks Italian quite well, fluent in my opinion, that makes it 3.