Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis player and record holder for the most Grand Slam titles, was a guest at a panel as part of the Fanatics Fest event in New York. During his public appearance, the world-renowned athlete thanked two Croatian tennis players, Ivan Ljubicic and Mario Ancic, highlighting their importance in his professional journey.
Djokovic particularly emphasised the influence of Ivan Ljubicic, who reached third place on the world rankings during his own career. During the period when Djokovic was a teenager and just breaking into the world of tennis, the two players shared the same coach. In that critical period, Ljubicic took on the role of a mentor who looked after the young Serbian tennis player, guiding him and providing key advice.
Ljubicic explained to Djokovic how to handle media pressures and how to behave in a professional sports environment. While Djokovic was learning technical details, such as the choice of rackets and string types, Ljubicic advised him to always remain true to himself and authentic. That advice became the foundation for his further development.
The Serbian tennis player emphasised that he consistently adhered to that advice throughout his career. Alongside Ljubicic, he also thanked Mario Ancic, who was ranked seventh in the world during his professional career. Both Croatian tennis players are recognised as key figures in shaping Djokovic's exceptional mental strength and top-level physical preparation.
