0:03 Not having success is not an option. I
0:05 have to succeed. It's basically a matter
0:08 of existence, a survival of my family.
0:10 >> The world's number one male tennis
0:12 player. He's won 24 grand slams in a
0:14 glittering career. Novak Jookovic.
0:17 >> You've been through so many injuries, losses.
0:18 losses.
0:20 >> Oh, he's hurt himself. What has
0:21 NovakJovich done?
0:23 >> What goes through your mind when you lose?
0:24 lose?
0:26 >> I just want to be left alone.
0:30 What has it taken to become NovakJovich?
0:32 >> It's a consistent practice. It's prayer
0:35 work, mindfulness, meditation, conscious
0:36 breathing. It requires more
0:38 responsibility from you on a daily basis
0:40 to prepare yourself for the biggest battle.
0:41 battle.
0:43 >> When did you first become aware of that
0:45 feeling of not being enough?
0:47 >> I kind of get emotional about it because
0:49 it's still deep inside of me.
0:51 >> Do you feel like in your career you've
0:53 achieved everything you set out to as a
0:56 tennis player? When you reach your 30,
0:58 you start counting your days to your
1:00 retirement. I'm 38 this year. How far
1:03 can I go? How long can I push my own limits?
1:05 limits?
1:07 >> The number one health and wellness podcast.
1:08 podcast.
1:08 >> J Shetty.
1:09 >> J Shetty,
1:14 >> the one, the only J Shetty.
1:16 >> Hey everyone, welcome back to OnPurpose,
1:18 the number one health and wellness
1:21 podcast in the world. Thanks to each and
1:23 every one of you who come back every
1:26 week to listen, learn, and grow. Now,
1:28 this is an incredible statistic that I'm
1:30 sharing for the first time. Thanks to
1:34 you, we are now creating 500 million
1:38 views every month. Not every year, every
1:40 month. And I'm so grateful that you're
1:42 part of this community. Today, I get to
1:45 welcome back a guest who has been a big
1:47 part of making that possible for me. I'm
1:49 grateful to him. I'm indebted to him
1:51 because he believed in the mission of on
1:54 purpose even before many people did or
1:57 any people did. Before this podcast was
2:00 even out, he allowed me the gracious
2:02 kindness to go and interview him and
2:06 release as the second episode of all
2:10 time. Welcoming back to on purpose, I'm
2:12 so excited to have my friend, the
2:15 incredible human Novak Joich. Novak,
2:19 >> thank you G. You are I mean do you know
2:20 what I'm so grateful to have you back
2:24 and my heart is so full because you were
2:26 one of those rare people that had seen
2:29 one of my first ever videos. We'd
2:31 reached out. We'd connected. We were
2:33 talking a lot at the time. You were
2:35 going through a really fascinating place
2:37 in your career. You were recovering from
2:38 an injury, right?
2:40 >> It was a different mindset. You were
2:43 just on the cusp of becoming the
2:45 greatest of all time. and you took a
2:49 chance on me in so many ways and I'm I'm
2:51 eternally indebted and grateful to you
2:53 for that. So, thank you for coming on
2:54 then and coming back now.
2:56 >> Jay, thank you. It's a great pleasure to
2:58 see you again and to be able to talk to
3:00 you. Thank you for kind words in
3:03 introduction and as well reflecting on
3:06 our first conversation in 2019. I don't
3:08 think I took a chance because we talked
3:11 about it just before we started
3:13 officially recording. You know when you
3:15 are connected with yourself and with
3:17 your emotions and when you feel someone
3:19 deeply and you look in someone's eyes
3:22 and you understand instantly with your
3:23 instinct with your intuition or that
3:26 this person thinks good or thinks bad or
3:29 has the right intention has the heart at
3:30 the right place. So I could see that
3:33 from the first moment with you and
3:35 that's where I felt the connection and
3:36 even though we haven't seen each other
3:38 for a few years, you know, I'm just so
3:40 glad that we are able to connect now and
3:43 you led me through the list of all the
3:45 guests that you had in the last almost
3:48 300 episodes in the last 5 years and I I
3:50 couldn't be happier for you and for your
3:52 wife and for your entire team. Amazing.
3:54 >> A thank you man. And it's uh you gave me
3:56 my first Wimbledon experience. I got to
3:59 see you play on center court. It was
4:01 amazing. I mean, are you kidding me? It
4:02 was like and you crushed. You won
4:05 obviously. Uh but it was just such a
4:07 brilliant experience to see you play
4:09 after getting to understand your
4:11 psychology. And I think that's what I've
4:13 respected about you over time that
4:16 you've really worked hard on your
4:18 internal game as much as your external
4:21 game. And I think you're one of those
4:24 few rare athletes that have raised the
4:25 consciousness by working on your own
4:27 consciousness. So today I want to dive
4:29 deep into that and and I want to dive
4:31 right in. I wanted to start by asking
4:35 you like what has it taken to become
4:37 NovakJovich? Like what has it actually
4:41 taken to become you internally? You
4:44 know, you you mentioned that I took a
4:46 lot of the time and attention to
4:49 dedicate myself to the internal work and
4:53 you know, I've been blessed and really
4:55 lucky in a certain way to be surrounded
4:58 with certain people at the very early
5:01 stages of my career and my life that
5:05 have directed me into this direction of
5:09 self-care, of holistic approach, of
5:12 multidisipline iplinary approach to the
5:14 preparation to the prevention to the
5:18 recovery both physical mental emotional
5:20 and at that time because I was so young
5:23 I didn't understand that and and it
5:25 didn't need to be explained to me in
5:27 depth at that point I trusted you know
5:29 my tennis mother as I like to call her
5:32 she passed away 13 years ago but she was
5:34 the one that really introduced this
5:36 holistic concept to me you know we were
5:38 I was going you know obviously to school
5:42 and then I was only 9 years old and 910
5:45 and I was training with her maybe two or
5:47 three times a week individually tennis
5:49 and then I would have group sessions and
5:52 my parents were you know were trusting
5:55 her enough to allow her to participate
5:58 directly into my upbringing basically.
6:00 So she also educated me off the tennis
6:04 court as well. So she took me very often
6:06 uh at least two times per week to her
6:08 house where we would look at the tapes
6:12 of all the greats both male and female
6:14 tennis players. That's where my
6:16 impersonation started. You know people,
6:17 you know, still to this day ask me, you
6:18 know, when are you going to do the
6:20 imitations impersonations? And you know,
6:22 I haven't done it. I've done it early in
6:24 my career and it was fun. It was viral
6:26 and people liked it. And then I received
6:28 a little bit of an evil looks in the
6:29 locker room and I kind of felt like, you
6:30 know, maybe I'm stepping over the line.
6:32 inside. That's why I stopped. But that's
6:34 where it started. And I was like, I was
6:37 really trying to adapt all of the great
6:39 things that I could see. And I have a
6:42 kind of a photogenic memory. And I'm a
6:44 very visual person. And that was
6:46 something that was kind of expected that
6:48 is kind of common as well, what you do
6:50 with kids, you know, or or with young
6:51 athletes, right? You watch videotapes,
6:54 you try to analyze, you try to talk. But
6:57 then she had me listen to classical
7:00 music. And she said it's very important
7:02 that you do that almost on a daily
7:05 basis. Listen to classical music while
7:08 you are writing your journal while you
7:11 are you know preparing for bed or any
7:13 time of the day but particularly those
7:16 times and you know I liked it. I didn't
7:18 understand the purpose of it but you
7:20 know I liked it. And so we would look at
7:22 the tapes and we would listen to this
7:25 music and then we would read poetry and
7:27 then we would do a visualization
7:30 practice. At that time she it was not
7:31 presented to me as such but she would
7:34 just say in a very simple way that would
7:37 be understood by a a boy a 10-year-old
7:39 boy just close your eyes and think about
7:42 how you want to play tennis and think
7:44 about when you're your happiest. And so
7:47 it started at a very early age and I'm
7:50 so eternally grateful to her for
7:53 instilling this in me and teaching me
7:55 you know how to see life basically and
7:58 understand that tennis is not as an
8:00 individual sport of course is also
8:02 different because you don't have anyone
8:04 to replace you if something goes bad you
8:06 know during the match you have to figure
8:08 out the way so I think it requires more
8:10 responsibility from you on a daily basis
8:13 to prepare yourself for a biggest battle
8:15 internally and also externally of course
8:16 with your opponent and with everything
8:19 that is happening around. But you know
8:22 so it taught me to really understand
8:25 that tennis is not only about hitting a
8:27 tennis ball over the net and counting
8:30 score and dreaming about this
8:32 achievements and winning Wimbledon as
8:35 our holy grail of tennis. But it's it's
8:38 more than that. And and I can use tennis
8:42 as a platform to evolve into a better
8:44 human being. At that point, I didn't
8:46 understand that. But then as I was
8:48 growing older and becoming more mature,
8:50 I I started to understand the importance
8:53 of doing all of these practices and I
8:56 started to expand on each of these
8:58 topics that that I was going through
9:00 with her. And then, you know, I started
9:03 going into yoga. I started going into
9:06 the movement into Christianity or to a
9:07 Christian. I'm very proud of my
9:09 religion. But at the same time, I am
9:13 very open to you know embrace anything
9:16 that can teach me you know from other
9:18 religions and from the spirituality as a
9:21 whole. So I'm very curious by nature. So
9:23 I was really always looking for new ways
9:25 to improve myself and improve my life on
9:28 this planet, you know, and I was very
9:30 lucky to be basically have that space
9:32 also from my parents. It's a kind of a
9:34 self-discovery through the self-care
9:37 through tennis really consumed most of
9:39 my life. Um I mean still does not to
9:42 that extent of course I mean I have two
9:44 kids I have family and other businesses
9:46 and other things that interests me. So
9:48 I'm you know I'm balancing right now
9:50 between tennis and the other stuff and
9:51 I'm kind of making that transition
9:53 slowly. you know, I still play
9:55 professional tennis and I still
9:59 experience my worst self on the court
10:02 and my best self. And so going back to
10:03 your comment at the beginning where you
10:06 said, you know, you're one of the the
10:08 athletes that really have immersed
10:10 himself into the spirituality, into
10:12 understanding the holistic approach and
10:15 so forth and and the mental health, I
10:19 would say yes. But I'm still surprising
10:22 and shocking myself on how much I
10:25 actually need to still work on that and
10:27 I still quote unquote don't know enough
10:30 about that world and it was really hard
10:33 for me to accept that you know I thought
10:35 you know since 10 I basically started
10:37 working on that and and growing the
10:41 foundation but it has evolved and has
10:44 transformed so much for me in terms of
10:47 how I see myself how I see the world and
10:49 I thought, you know, maybe when I was at
10:52 at the peak of my career and, you know,
10:56 I felt like I'm unbeatable and I I feel
10:58 like I could do anything, you know, I
10:59 kind of walking on the water. We all
11:01 experience that in in in our own lives
11:04 in certain way and it's a great feeling,
11:06 but then the ego takes you places where
11:08 it's it's hard to come back from. And
11:09 maybe you shouldn't come back from that.
11:11 Maybe you're trying to find a balance,
11:14 find the optimal measure that really
11:16 works for you. But it it took me time to
11:19 really accept the fact that what I have
11:22 learned, what I have mastered, and what
11:26 I'm doing on a daily basis for the last
11:30 20 years or more is not necessarily a
11:32 guarantee that I'll always find a way
11:34 and that will always work for me in this
11:36 particular time of my life and
11:39 circumstances that I'm facing. So that's
11:41 a huge revelation for me because and I'm
11:43 still trying to get a grasp on it and
11:46 and understand all of these factors that
11:49 are in play that are challenging me on a
11:52 daily basis. And when I talk from this
11:54 perspective, it's a beautiful journey
11:56 that I'm trying to embrace. But when you
11:59 are immersed in the dark moment, it's
12:01 it's kind of hard to to really get out
12:01 of that.
12:03 >> Yeah. No, I I love what you're saying
12:06 because uh in the Gita, the ancient text
12:09 of India, it's spoken on a battlefield
12:12 and the idea is that you're always on a
12:13 battlefield. And as you said, on the
12:15 battlefield, you see the best of
12:17 yourself and the worst of yourself. And
12:18 often people said that to me when I
12:20 moved to LA, everyone's like, why do you
12:21 want to be in LA? There's so much
12:23 materialism. There's so much,
12:24 >> you know, illusion here. And I said,
12:26 well, actually, I feel like I'm on the
12:28 battlefield here. So, I see the best of
12:30 myself and I see the worst of myself.
12:32 And the worst of myself reminds me to
12:34 keep going and to keep working on
12:36 myself. And the best of myself allows me
12:38 to share my message with the biggest
12:41 megaphone in the world. And so it's that
12:43 dichotomy of actually when you're
12:45 looking for spiritual growth, you want
12:48 to be in a place that reminds you of
12:50 your weaknesses as much as your
12:51 strength. Because if you are only
12:53 reminded of your strength, you just have
12:55 your ego. And if you were only reminded
12:57 of your weaknesses, well then you would
13:00 be depressed or disheartened. I can
13:03 instantly see the mistake when I
13:05 actually say it's my coach's fault or
13:07 it's my physio's fault or my fitness
13:09 coach's fault or it's whoever's fault
13:12 for me losing a match or me playing this
13:14 way. So I always remind myself, hey,
13:15 take the responsibility in your hands.
13:18 Take the means in your hands. You are in
13:21 control of your life. I really would
13:24 love my my children to to be able to be
13:26 okay with being bored because that's the
13:28 time when you're actually most creative
13:32 or that's the time when you can manage
13:33 your thoughts and everything that you
13:36 have been suppressing by distracting
13:38 yourself with phone with whatever it is
13:40 you cannot convince me that there is a
13:42 single person in this planet even the
13:46 monk in Tibet that is meditating 24/7 or
13:49 an Orthodox Christian priest in a holy
13:53 island in Greece that is 24/7 praying
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14:59 Do you feel like in your career you've
15:02 achieved everything you set out to as a
15:03 tennis player?
15:06 >> Uh, yes. And more than that, and at the
15:09 same time, I still want to do more. And
15:12 I know that that comes in a big part
15:14 from a good place. Meaning from a place
15:17 of purpose, inspiration, motivation,
15:19 love for the sport, passion for the
15:22 sport, passion to make people happy when
15:24 they watch me. If I'm doing that, and I
15:28 I have a feeling that I am by still
15:30 actively being on the tennis tour and
15:32 having my tennis career, active tennis
15:35 career, I'm still spreading that light
15:37 by playing tennis and inspiring younger
15:39 generations. That's something that that
15:42 comes from a good heart, a good place.
15:44 But what comes from maybe a uh I would
15:46 say not necessarily a bad place but less
15:49 of a good place. I have identified that
15:54 as well is my feeling of not being enough.
15:56 enough.
15:59 And that goes back to my very very
16:01 beginning of my life and my relationship
16:04 particularly with my father and not
16:06 being not doing enough, not being good
16:10 enough. uh etc etc. So, so now that I'm
16:11 talking about it, I I kind of get
16:13 emotional about it because it's still
16:16 deep inside of me and it's kind of the
16:18 battle that I that I also go through
16:20 often because a lot of people even
16:22 closest people in my life ask me, you
16:24 know, what more do you want? You know,
16:27 you have achieved everything.
16:28 What do you want? What why why do you
16:30 keep going? And I tell them the the good
16:32 part that I told you that I still really
16:35 strongly feel it's inside of me and I
16:37 feel like as long as I have the capacity
16:41 or or ability to compete for the biggest
16:43 titles in in my sport, I want to keep
16:46 going. And also partly the part that I
16:49 didn't mention that inspires me to keep
16:53 going is to test my limits mentally and
16:56 physically. Because when I was starting
16:58 to break through into professional tennis,
16:59 tennis,
17:02 I remember when you reach your 30, you
17:03 start counting your days to your
17:05 retirement. Like after 30, you know,
17:08 that's it pretty much. Even though there
17:10 was some exceptions like Jimmy Connor is
17:12 the legend of our game. He played think
17:14 semi-finals or finals of of US Open when
17:17 he was 40, you know, still still, you
17:20 know, dominating the tour. So there were
17:22 very but very few exceptions. Nowadays
17:24 it's different. Why? Because I think the
17:29 care for the body has improved so much.
17:34 I mean now not only top 10 or 15 guys or
17:37 girls on the tour have like multiple
17:38 people in their squad to take care of
17:42 them. You have top 50 people that are
17:44 taking care of them. It's due to the
17:46 improvement of course of the conditions
17:48 for the players and you know we earn
17:51 more across the board. So, it gives you
17:53 it allows you to hire more people that
17:55 would take care of your body. And I
17:59 think that it's also a a kind of a a
18:01 curiosity from my side. How how far can
18:04 I go? You know, I'm I'm 38 this year,
18:06 you know, how long can I push my own
18:08 limits? And I don't feel like I do have
18:10 limits. And I feel like the limits are
18:13 normally constructs in our mind. I've
18:15 seen the episode you did with Brian
18:17 Johnson the other day and then he talked
18:19 about you know he's
18:21 >> by a lot of people's opinion very
18:24 extreme but you know he dedicated his
18:28 own entire life to getting the data and
18:30 understanding what are the best
18:33 conditions for the longest living life
18:36 that he can have for himself which I
18:38 think it's something that is admirable
18:40 and you know I give him huge credit for
18:42 that and it I understand because as a
18:44 professional athlete, you know, the care
18:48 for your body and your mind and the
18:52 devotion to the daily habits is so tough
18:54 because when you want to change a
18:56 certain habit, science says it takes at
18:59 least 21 days, right, for the brain to
19:01 start growing, you know, new neurons
19:03 that are reprogramming.
19:05 But if you don't have the right
19:08 environment, that's going to be very,
19:10 very challenging. So that was also one
19:12 of the things that I wanted to reflect
19:14 on in your question is the environment
19:17 is the one that can be very stimulative
19:20 to you. It can be really supportive or
19:23 it can be pulling you down. So it's
19:26 super important even though we we always
19:29 encourage ourselves to be independent in
19:32 terms of what we do, what we eat, how we
19:34 sleep, how you know how we lead our
19:36 lives and what we do and how we can live
19:38 the best version of our lives possible.
19:40 But at the same time, we are social beings.
19:41 beings.
19:44 >> We are very tribal beings. And even if
19:45 it's the smallest community, we still
19:47 want to belong to that community. We
19:49 still want this community to support us.
19:52 Even if it's one person or two, but it's
19:54 super important in the end of the day
19:56 because, you know, making tough choices.
19:57 These are tough choices because society
19:59 when you go out there, you know,
20:02 supermajority of the places where you go
20:05 to eat or people that you see, it's a
20:06 kind of a vicious cycle and they lead
20:08 their life in a certain way that maybe
20:12 doesn't coincide or correspond to your
20:14 choices that you want to make the new
20:16 choices or maybe the new changes. So
20:18 it's really hard, you know what I mean?
20:19 Living in the in the big city and
20:21 deciding you want to go through
20:22 transformational journey on a daily
20:24 basis where being exposed to
20:26 >> to something that is contrary to what
20:28 you're trying to achieve.
20:30 >> I feel like it's it's reinventing
20:32 yourself constantly. You know, for me,
20:34 I've had this kind of upbringing, had a
20:37 great foundation, and you know, I've
20:39 achieved incredible things. I was
20:41 dreaming of becoming number one in the
20:43 world and becoming a Wimbledon champion.
20:45 And that was my dream. I achieved that
20:48 dream within two days. I won Wimbledon
20:50 and at the same same day became number
20:53 one in the world in 2011 in front of my
20:55 family, in front of president of Serbia
20:57 who was there. I mean it was with a
20:59 welcoming of hundreds of thousands of
21:01 people on the way back. It's just you
21:03 know once in a lifetime type of
21:05 experience and when you do something for
21:07 the first time obviously that big it's
21:09 just like you're you're flying to the
21:12 moon. I mean you're not you it's a kind
21:14 of an old out of body experience but
21:17 then I I felt like I had to set new
21:20 goals and cuz I was you know at the at
21:23 the time 2011 I was 23 years old 24 so
21:25 okay what do I do next you know I feel
21:27 like I'm at you know peak of my powers
21:30 and I want to so so then I want to win
21:31 multiple slams then I want to win all
21:33 slams at once then I want to win gold
21:34 medal for my country then I want to make
21:37 history and so forth so forth so I think
21:39 goal oriented mind particular
21:42 particularly in sports but I also in
21:44 business or anything really I think is
21:47 super important because the clarity in
21:50 from my experience is something that is
21:53 essential to have also peace of mind and
21:56 to have a calm heart that you know what
21:59 you're doing and that you set your goals
22:01 your short-term goals your long-term
22:02 goals and you know exactly the strategy
22:04 that you need to implement to achieve
22:07 them and you surround yourself with the
22:09 people who are supporting you but also
22:11 people who are telling you what you
22:13 don't want to hear, you know, giving you
22:16 constructive criticism or maybe giving
22:18 you non-constructive criticism and then
22:20 putting you very down. But that's also
22:21 part of the journey. It's also learning
22:23 how to get up
22:25 >> like a phoenix and rise and and and try
22:28 to develop a thick skin, so to say. So,
22:30 it's it's a constant process really. I I
22:34 don't see myself fully satisfied if if
22:37 that's maybe a shorter answer because I
22:40 have that part of me which is like uh
22:43 you know I think I can still do more but
22:45 I'm the other side of me is like of
22:48 course I'm fully I'm happy and I'm proud
22:52 and in a way I can't wait one day for me
22:55 to reflect on everything but while I'm
22:57 still in my active career I don't have
22:59 time. Tennis has a longest season of all
23:01 sports. January starts January, ends
23:04 almost end of November. And of course, I
23:06 earn my right in a way to be selective
23:08 with tournaments where I play. So that's
23:10 what I'm doing. I'm not playing as much.
23:13 I'm focusing on the big ones. And I'm
23:14 trying to incorporate all of these other
23:18 things inside of my career and basically
23:21 expand the platform and use my voice for
23:24 other things than just the tennis court.
23:26 And I'm, you know, super blessed to be
23:28 in a position that I am, but as I said,
23:31 it's a constant journey and process.
23:32 >> Yeah. I really appreciate you being
23:34 honest about your experience with your
23:38 father because I think that pretty much
23:40 anyone who goes off to do something
23:42 successful externally.
23:45 All of us and everyone was channeling
23:50 some sort of internal inadequacy or an
23:53 internal feeling of not being enough. as
23:56 you said and I wanted to ask when did
23:59 you first become aware of that that you
24:01 had that feeling of not being enough >> right
24:02 >> right
24:05 >> and how have you helped that evolve in a
24:07 in the healthiest way possible what has
24:09 been that journey of almost having to
24:11 live with it because it's there but not
24:14 letting it be your guiding light well
24:16 you're right it makes sense because I
24:18 think if you use it as the right fuel it
24:21 can actually serve as a great motivating
24:23 factor right it can it can push you. It
24:26 can, you know, stimulate you to extract
24:31 the the most amount of necessary energy
24:33 uh on a daily basis to achieve your
24:36 goals and to basically live your dream.
24:38 I think for me it started really as
24:40 something that was inevitable as a part
24:42 of the environment that I was in. I
24:45 touched upon that a little bit in our
24:47 conversation five, six years ago. My
24:49 upbringing with several wars and
24:52 sanctions and embargo and poverty and
24:54 everything. So you know from a very
24:58 young age I was basically forced to
25:00 mature very quickly because I'm a I'm a
25:03 oldest of the three brothers. I have two
25:06 younger brothers. So as an oldest son to
25:09 my father, I was basically kind of in a
25:12 position where I had to be informed very
25:15 early on, particularly the age of 11, 12
25:17 when when we had that bombing and the
25:20 war and sanctions that state that we are
25:23 in as a family or as people of of my
25:25 country, the situation, the
25:27 circumstances, my father had to bring it
25:30 forward to me in a very clear and mature
25:34 way. So, you know, one of the most
25:36 impactful moments of my upbringing and
25:38 my childhood is when he brought 10
25:40 Deutsch marks, and I've said this story
25:43 many times, which is equivalent to $10,
25:45 and he said, "This is all we got for our
25:48 family of five as living in a super
25:49 small apartment." That's where it hit
25:51 me. It was like, "Okay, now I have to
25:53 take the means in my hands as a
25:56 12-year-old boy in whatever way I can.
25:59 At least what I can do is support my
26:01 mother." maybe from some of the the
26:03 burden that she has during the day of
26:07 taking care of my younger brothers and
26:10 that's where it also hit me that not
26:13 having success is not an option like I
26:15 have to succeed it's basically a matter
26:19 of existence a survival of my family
26:21 so I think it started there and then
26:24 over the years it has obviously
26:26 transformed or evolved into different
26:28 kind of form
26:32 but I I think that and also my
26:34 relationship with my father often times
26:37 because of maybe lack of patience of my
26:39 father or of people around because
26:42 everyone saw that I have a talent. I was
26:45 coming from Serbia that had no tennis
26:48 tradition, no tennis culture. We are a
26:51 nation of a team sports. Uh we are
26:53 definitely a sporting nation. We love
26:54 sports but team sports. And at that
26:57 point during ' 90s it was about
26:59 survival. People were watching sports
27:01 but there was not much support for the
27:04 sports. It was particularly not tennis a
27:07 very expensive sport at the time. I
27:08 chose the most difficult sport for my
27:11 parents in most difficult time for our
27:15 nation and for my family. So often times
27:16 I wouldn't travel because we didn't have
27:19 money and then you know obviously as you
27:21 can imagine tennis federation didn't
27:24 have you know money to support me. So my
27:25 father had to go and beg and then he was
27:28 also borrowing money from
27:30 unfortunately even some criminals at the
27:33 time during ' 90s and then they would
27:35 you know they would tell him it's funny
27:36 story right now but at the time it
27:38 wasn't funny particularly for him but
27:39 you know he would go and he said first
27:42 time I was going to go to United States
27:44 to play I was 15 years old I was going
27:47 to play like big junior events here like
27:49 Prince Cup and Orange Ball there are the
27:52 biggest ones under 16 and under 18 and
27:54 also So, more importantly, I was I was
27:57 going with my father hopefully to get
28:00 the sponsorship or, you know, get
28:02 recruited by one of the big agencies,
28:05 IMGs or or whatever. So, he went for ask
28:07 for money because we didn't have so he
28:10 went to ask for $5,000 and so this
28:13 criminal people that you could borrow
28:15 money from because banks obviously would
28:17 not give it to you. And then they said,
28:19 you know, he asked him, you know, are
28:22 you how much are you in rush? And he's
28:24 like, "Listen, I'm asking this money
28:27 from you because of my son. He's playing
28:29 tennis. We're going in America. You
28:32 know, I'll return this money within
28:33 whatever they agreed on, one or two
28:36 months, whatever it is, 3 months." He
28:40 says interest rate was 15%. But because
28:45 you are in rush, it's 25. So my father
28:48 was like, "Okay, you know, I'll take it
28:51 cuz I have no other option." So, and I
28:52 can only imagine the stress that he was
28:54 going through and trying to turn this
28:56 money where people were really car
28:59 chasing him, shootings in our capital
29:02 town, stuff that my father went through,
29:04 you know, to to really not only survive
29:07 himself, but to actually allow all of us
29:11 to live and protect us and to allow me
29:14 to live my dream and to play the most
29:15 expensive sport at the time for my
29:18 country is something that I'm eternally
29:20 indeed. I cannot there's no money or
29:22 there's nothing that can
29:24 >> return the favor so to say. So of course
29:28 my father's always my my hero for that
29:30 and my champion but you know feeling of
29:32 not enough because of that stress and
29:33 what things that he was going through
29:35 and then it was hard because he was
29:38 giving me also hard time if I wouldn't
29:40 play well and it's like and then I I
29:42 understood but at the same time I was
29:45 afraid I knew what I have to do but you
29:47 know it's hard for me to deliver it when
29:50 you need it's like okay you need to win
29:52 no matter what type of situation. He
29:54 wasn't telling me that but that's how it felt
29:55 felt
29:58 >> and that felt like that for years.
30:01 >> So that's why I say that the success
30:04 that I have achieved is not only due to
30:08 my father or my parents or myself. It's
30:12 also the divine higher force. I strongly
30:15 believe that there was an intervention
30:17 and there still is. There's higher
30:21 forces in power that were helping me in
30:23 some of the most difficult moments in my
30:25 family as well. I am a man of faith and
30:27 I really truly believe in God and a
30:30 higher spiritual force that intervenes
30:32 in the most difficult moments if you
30:35 open your heart, if you pray and if you
30:37 believe in it. So I felt it on my own
30:40 skin. Jay, to be honest, I really don't
30:43 know how I won certain matches. I cannot
30:45 explain it even with my team after I
30:48 would finish a grand slam final against
30:52 Roger Feather in 2019 Wimbledon when he
30:54 was a far better player. I saved some
30:58 match points and I came off the court
31:00 all stats were going his way. I won the
31:02 match and I just said, you know, and I
31:04 wasn't playing well. I wasn't feeling
31:06 well on the court and I was just like
31:08 struggling and scrambling and trying to
31:12 stay out there, stay alive. And I won in
31:14 the end in one of the most epic finals
31:16 in history of tennis. And then you know
31:18 I told to my parents and my family and
31:20 my my team I said and my wife I said I
31:23 don't know how I won this match. I have
31:25 no idea. At the same time I do know deep
31:28 inside that there there's that
31:30 connection happening and that that
31:33 there's also that help. So there there's
31:35 a mix of things. It's really hard to
31:38 explain. Sometimes there's this divine
31:41 power that really if you allow it, if
31:44 you believe it, that really helps you
31:47 come out of of a trouble and and achieve things.
31:47 things.
31:50 >> What has been your
31:52 point of connection or practice with
31:54 that higher power that keeps you
31:56 connected? What's been that for you?
31:57 There's so many different traditions and
31:59 different methods. What's been the
32:01 method for you that you find, especially
32:03 in those moments, that you're able to
32:05 tap in? Because I find that if you're
32:07 able to tap in in really difficult
32:08 times, it means you're doing something
32:11 in good times because it doesn't just
32:13 suddenly turn on when you need it. So
32:15 what what has been your particular
32:18 practice, method, uh system or theory
32:19 that's kept you connect?
32:21 >> You hit the nail with that one. It's a
32:23 consistent practice. So it's prayer
32:26 work, mindfulness, meditation, conscious breathing,
32:28 breathing, visualization,
32:30 visualization,
32:32 presence, basically many other things as
32:36 well that that just NLP or you know
32:39 there's a lot of different techniques
32:42 that I have been practicing
32:45 and triing always with myself before I
32:48 would recommend it to someone else. And
32:49 over the years, I've developed my own
32:52 formula that changes
32:55 dependent on the feeling, dependent on
32:58 whether I'm on the court, whether I'm at
33:00 home, whe practice, whatever it is that
33:03 I'm doing. But I try to do it when, you
33:05 know, nobody's watching. And sometimes I
33:07 verbalize things, sometimes I don't.
33:09 Sometimes I write things down, sometimes
33:12 I just internalize. It just depends. But
33:15 I think most importantly in the end is
33:17 that you're doing something. M
33:19 >> I'm actually reading this book uh one of
33:21 the books that I'm reading currently is
33:23 you know the power of surrendering and
33:24 letting go. >> Mhm.
33:25 >> Mhm.
33:28 >> It is an amazing book for me at at the
33:30 moment because because of my upbringing
33:33 and because of my character and because
33:36 of my life story hard for me to let go.
33:38 It's hard for me to surrender
33:41 unless it's to the higher power. But I'm
33:44 still working on how to surrender and
33:46 let go of certain things in relationship
33:49 with close ones or my relationship with
33:51 the tennis or you know if I lose a match
33:54 or tournament if I go through a crisis
33:56 period and you know how to not hold
33:59 something that that pulls me down or
34:02 regret or you know it's it's a constant
34:05 work but I I I feel like if you devote
34:08 the time on the daily basis whatever
34:10 works for you you had some of the most amazing
34:11 amazing
34:13 uh guests on your show that talked about
34:16 from neuroscientists to doctors,
34:18 nutritionists and talked about the
34:20 healthy habits. So I I don't want to be
34:22 talking as them as I'm not an expert but
34:25 in my fields or so to say in my own life
34:27 and experience I feel like I'm an expert
34:29 because I have tried and developed so
34:30 many different things over the last 30
34:33 years and and I know what works and what
34:36 doesn't in a way but going back to the
34:38 very beginning organization it's not
34:40 again a guarantee that it will keep on
34:42 working to the rest of my life but I
34:47 know what will is my dedicated time in a
34:49 day to this practice. ractice,
34:51 >> mental practice, physical practice, of
34:54 course, activity practice that I'm doing
34:56 in the gym outside and tennis court or
34:59 when I'm not training, I still do stuff.
35:01 I still do some yoga practice. I still
35:03 do stretching. I still do breathing. I
35:06 still I love the chiong and the Chinese
35:08 traditional medicine or Chinese
35:10 tradition practices. I think they're
35:12 super good and important that you can do
35:14 even in your chair. There's always
35:15 there's ways and it's incredible
35:19 nowadays an internet and I mean there's
35:21 access to incredible things. All it
35:24 takes is a willpower to do it and a
35:27 desire to say okay I'm consciously
35:29 making this decision to change my life
35:31 for better. And I'm going to start with
35:34 small steps. Super important. It's hard.
35:36 You have so much judgment in this
35:38 society in this world right it's it's
35:40 really hard for people as as we talked
35:42 about the environment. as much as effort
35:44 you're putting in and then you come with
35:47 your friends or or whatever with your
35:48 family members or and then they start to
35:50 judge you because you're starting to act
35:53 weird because you're not normal. You're
35:55 not conforming to the norms of the
35:57 society whatever they are because it's
35:58 quite relative. You know we all
36:01 different but you know the norms of
36:02 society are not really healthy ones
36:04 otherwise we wouldn't be where we are as
36:06 a world ecosystem as a whole and as
36:08 people and what we are doing to our
36:10 planet etc. there's a lot of uh
36:12 awakening happening and it's great to
36:15 see that change but it's not easy for
36:17 people and I understand that and it's
36:19 okay not to feel okay we heard that many
36:23 times as well and sometimes as I said
36:25 accepting and embracing for me and
36:27 letting go of the fact that I cannot
36:29 find a solution to something that
36:31 happens in my brain in my mind is also fine
36:32 fine
36:35 >> of being in a dark place for as long as
36:39 it requires is also a humane thing it's
36:42 also part of our life. I can see there's
36:44 also a narrative that I don't really
36:47 necessarily like or support in our let's
36:50 say wellness mindfulness space
36:53 well-being space where it's presented by
36:56 certain people in such way that you can
36:58 only think positive thoughts
37:00 >> and there's no room for negative thoughts
37:01 thoughts
37:04 >> that you know every picture or video
37:06 they post online is smiling it's great
37:09 life and so forth I mean that's not
37:11 possible right I
37:13 You cannot convince me that there is a
37:15 single person in this planet, even the
37:19 monk in Tibet that is meditating 24/7 or
37:22 an Orthodox Christian priest in a holy
37:26 island in Greece that is 24/7 praying,
37:29 you know, peace isolated in the cave
37:32 that is not experiencing some negative
37:33 thoughts. Mhm.
37:36 >> And I always go back to what one uh one
37:39 of my friends told me that I he's also
37:41 um mental coach and I worked with him
37:44 for years and one of his teachers is Zen
37:47 Buddhism teachers and he goes to the
37:50 temple in France often to his teacher
37:52 and he asked him in one of the first
37:53 times that he was there uh doing
37:55 retreats and spending time at the
37:58 temple. He says, "How are you so calm?
38:01 you know, how is it that nothing really
38:03 rivals you or unsettles you? Like you're
38:06 always so serene.
38:09 Uh you don't have any negative thoughts.
38:11 And he said the answer from the teacher
38:15 is that he says it's not true. He says I
38:17 probably have more negative thoughts and
38:21 more challenging thoughts and emotions
38:23 than you have. The difference between
38:28 you and me is my training and my ability
38:30 to not stay in that state and in that
38:32 emotion for a long time. >> Mhm.
38:33 >> Mhm.
38:35 >> So I stay in it for seconds
38:38 >> and you stay in it for who knows. >> Yeah.
38:38 >> Yeah. >> Right.
38:39 >> Right.
38:41 >> So I I I think there's true wisdom in
38:43 that and it's all about practice
38:45 everything. I mean brain is a muscle
38:46 like any other
38:49 >> even consciousness that comes naturally
38:52 to us. I mean we are conscious spiritual
38:54 beings. We are souls on this planet in
38:57 this body. But in order for us to
39:00 connect with our true self, we need to
39:03 go through these layers, the constructs
39:05 of the society that has developed us in
39:08 a way has shaped us. And that requires
39:10 practice on a daily basis. And that's
39:13 not easy. Look, it's it's not easy not
39:15 switching on your phone or your TV the
39:17 first thing in the morning, but doing
39:19 something that is maybe not as healthy,
39:22 but being devoted to that practice or,
39:24 you know, during the day having that
39:27 little one, two, 5, 10, 20 minute rest
39:29 time and comprehension time. It's not
39:31 easy to do that, especially for people
39:33 that didn't develop that kind of habit.
39:36 It doesn't come naturally. I mean my
39:37 even though I don't like giving advice
39:40 as we talked about it but I like to
39:42 share something that works as a
39:43 suggestion something that works
39:45 extremely well for me and then and this
39:48 is crazy that even in the 21st century
39:51 we are even talking about this as a hack
39:53 it should be like an everyday thing that
39:55 it's a natural most natural thing is to
39:57 spend time in nature
39:59 >> listen to the birds chirping listen to
40:02 the wind feel the wind feel the I mean
40:05 if you're by seaside or oceanside walk
40:08 by the water or any water or pond or
40:11 lake or just be without a phone and in
40:15 nature, let the nature do its job and
40:18 heal you. And there's so much more power
40:21 to that than we actually think.
40:22 >> And and I felt like in the in the
40:25 darkest moments when I really don't want
40:27 to do any of these techniques or any of
40:30 the time indoors, I just go out and I
40:33 just I just go out and preferably walk
40:35 uphill. Mhm.
40:36 >> Because I feel like when you walk
40:40 uphill, your heart rate raises obviously
40:42 and because of that effort, you're even
40:43 more present.
40:47 >> So even less time for your thoughts to
40:48 consume you. So you're like fully
40:51 present. And then when you get to a
40:54 certain point high at the top, you feel
40:55 good about yourself because you've done
40:58 something. You're in the nature. You're
41:00 dedicated time to yourself. So I feel
41:01 like that's super powerful and it's
41:03 often times very underestimated. The
41:04 reason why I love hearing about your
41:07 practice is just because I think
41:09 >> I think an athletes mind is one of the
41:12 most unique places on earth because when
41:14 you're dealing with extremes every day
41:17 >> and every week and both extremes of
41:19 being number one and then losing a game
41:21 and you know everything that goes on the
41:23 toolkit you have is one of the most
41:26 versatile toolkits and and that's why I
41:27 asked that question was just to
41:28 understand what you do. I was going to
41:30 ask you like I feel like one of the most
41:31 challenging things and you probably
41:33 remember this when you are the new kid
41:36 on the block and you're playing all the
41:38 legends and today you're the legend and
41:40 you're playing the new kids on the block
41:43 and it must be such a fascinating
41:45 experience to go through and when you
41:47 talk about the power of letting go and
41:48 the power of surrender
41:50 >> I wanted you to talk to us about that
41:51 like what did it feel like when you were
41:53 the new kid on the block and you were
41:55 playing your legends that you looked up
41:56 to and now you're the legend you're the
41:58 goat you're the number one playing the
42:00 new kids on the block. Like what does
42:02 that mentally look like?
42:04 >> It's a completely different feeling
42:06 obviously and different perspective. I
42:09 mean when you're a teenager coming up
42:11 and then you know you you're in a
42:15 dreamland when you are just sharing a
42:18 locker room with the legends of the game
42:20 or the guys that you look up to your
42:22 biggest rivals. They're becoming your
42:24 biggest rivals later on. But at that
42:26 point they're heroes. They're like my
42:27 gosh. I mean, these guys, I've seen them
42:29 on the TV, and now I'm
42:30 >> Who is that?
42:33 >> I mean, look, my my idol growing up was
42:37 Pete Sampress. And even though Pete
42:39 Pete's game and my game are quite
42:41 different, I don't know, I loved his
42:43 demeanor. I loved his ability to cope
42:46 with the pressure and how he was coming
42:48 up with the best tennis when it mattered
42:51 the most. And that was a kind of a sign
42:53 of a greatest champion. I mean he was
42:56 holding a record for most slams and and
42:59 and weeks number one etc for a long time
43:02 until Roger came and Rafa of course and
43:04 then of course paved the way and then
43:07 you know looking up to them as well.
43:11 Even Nadal is only a year older than me
43:13 but he made a breakthrough earlier than
43:15 I did. it's already for a couple of
43:17 years he was on the tour when I started
43:20 coming in and he was already number two
43:22 in the world multiple slam winner and
43:24 etc. So, of course, it was kind of a
43:28 surreal experience for me and I tried to
43:30 enjoy it and embrace it, but at the same time,
43:32 time,
43:34 I felt like, okay, it's great to share
43:37 the court with these guys, but I want to
43:39 beat them, you know, I want to get the
43:40 biggest titles. I want to be number one.
43:43 I want to dominate. So I think that the
43:45 first kind of that wave that I was
43:49 riding on helped me to win my first slam
43:53 when I was 19 in uh Australia Australian
43:57 Open in 2008. And then I I won a couple
43:58 of big tournaments and so forth. I
44:00 reached the number two in the world, but
44:02 you know, I still wasn't number one. And
44:04 then I I had a three-year period. I
44:06 didn't win a slam. I was winning some
44:07 big tournaments, but I couldn't win a
44:10 slam. These two guys were beating me in
44:12 every big match, Feather and Adal. I
44:15 changed rackets, you know, team members.
44:18 I I did everything I can to kind of find
44:21 the the right formula.
44:22 And I was struggling physically as well.
44:24 I wasn't, you know, that's where
44:27 actually I had my transformative journey
44:29 nutrition-wise where I took out the
44:31 gluten and dairy products and refined
44:34 sugar. Up to that point, I was eating
44:35 all of the these things thinking, well,
44:37 I'm I'm eating relatively healthy. I
44:38 mean, relatively healthy. I thought, you
44:41 know, that's what I know. But then, you
44:42 know, when I started working with this
44:44 with this doctor and he he pointed out,
44:46 you know, you have strong gluten
44:48 intolerance. It messes up with your gut.
44:49 Got to take that out. You got to take
44:51 out the dairy product because that
44:53 creates a lot of inflammation in your
44:55 body. You might be able to eat it later
44:57 on, but not now. And refined sugar.
45:00 Absolutely. No. So, that was a huge
45:01 change, but I committed to it. And then
45:05 I felt that affected me. In fact, my
45:07 mental clarity, my recovery was much
45:10 better, my decision- making on the court
45:13 was better, etc. So, that helped a lot.
45:15 And of course, mentally as well, I was
45:17 working on certain programs that I had
45:20 from, you know, that were kind of not
45:22 really very positive and not not really
45:23 serving the purpose on the court of
45:27 winning a match. So that year in 2010
45:30 2011 is when I experienced a huge boost
45:32 of energy and transformation and that
45:35 change an unbeaten run of 40 plus
45:38 matches and had three slams and became
45:39 number one and had one of best season of
45:41 my life and that's where I everything
45:43 started going in the in the upwards
45:48 direction for me and learning also from
45:50 these guys and the matches that we've
45:51 played against each other was something
45:53 that was extremely important for me at
45:57 that time. I was of course trying to
45:59 consume as much as I can this energy of
46:02 the center court and everything and it
46:05 was overwhelming at times but I was also
46:08 very thorough in my analysis of the
46:10 matches afterwards even though I don't necessarily
46:12 necessarily
46:14 like to watch matches that I lost. But
46:17 you know, Kobe Bryant used to talk about
46:19 this a lot and I when I was talking to
46:22 him personally about that he would cuz I
46:24 tell him Kobe I really don't like you
46:26 know watching myself perform bad or when
46:29 I lost and it just gives me this cramps
46:31 in my stomach and I don't like it. And
46:36 he said even if it's just specific
46:40 intervals of the match that you lost
46:41 that you want to watch that you
46:43 definitely look at that and you need to
46:45 analyze that and you need to go through
46:49 that cramping feeling because that's
46:50 where you learn from those those
46:52 mistakes and that's where you have an
46:54 opportunity to rectify that the next
46:56 next tournament or next match and so
46:59 forth. So that helped a lot. And I do
47:01 watch the matches that I lost and
47:03 highlights and certain parts, but I
47:06 never watch the last point. I don't want
47:08 to watch the point where my opponent,
47:10 you know, fist bumps and raises his
47:13 hands. I just maybe it's I don't know.
47:16 It's a superstition or not, but but it's
47:18 just some some kind of a feeling that I
47:20 have. But yeah, I just, you know, those
47:22 rivalries really shaped me into the
47:23 person I am, into the player that I am,
47:26 and definitely grateful for for
47:27 everything that I experienced with these guys.
47:27 guys.
47:29 >> And now the flip, now when you're
47:31 playing the younger players. Well, well,
47:34 now the flip is obviously an interesting
47:37 experience for me because uh when
47:40 Feather and Nadal and Murray, my biggest
47:44 rivals, retired actually most recently
47:46 uh in the in the last year or two, part
47:48 of me left with them and I and I really
47:51 feel that because and I I thought, well,
47:53 it's not going to be difficult for me to
47:56 kind of shift my attention in terms of
47:59 who are my principal rivals on the tour
48:02 from them to someone else. But, you
48:04 know, it is it is tough because, you
48:06 know, I'm used to these names, these
48:10 guys, these faces for 20 years and then
48:12 new faces come in and and it's normal uh
48:16 how can I say evolution of our sport and
48:17 it's normal that you have new
48:19 generations that are kind of come in and
48:21 dominate the tour. I'm experiencing
48:23 something I have never experienced
48:25 before, but that's that's also fine. you
48:28 know, I'm trying to embrace this journey
48:32 and but also I think what is very
48:34 important to me personally and and what
48:37 I have expressed directly to all of my
48:40 basically rivals currently today, the
48:43 young guys who are going to be the
48:46 carriers of the tennis for the next
48:50 decade is that I'm here for them to
48:53 share my experience even though it's
48:55 difficult because we're facing each
48:58 But I still feel that in a way that's
48:59 also my role. It's also my responsibility.
49:01 responsibility.
49:03 And it's also a great opportunity for me
49:05 to do that because I re it really fills
49:08 my heart with joy that I'm able to
49:12 convey my experiences, my knowledge,
49:14 whatever that I can from my journey to a
49:18 new generations because naturally the
49:20 tennis should get better and we all want
49:22 tennis to get better to be better and I
49:25 want somebody to break my record in the
49:27 future or all of the records. Why not? I
49:30 mean this is how it should be. if I can
49:32 contribute in in a in a way where I can
49:35 say hey aside of the the barriers that
49:38 we created in a rivalry if you need help
49:40 with I don't know public relations if
49:43 it's you know marketing if it's dealing
49:45 with the outside world as well that is
49:47 very difficult dealing with anxiety we
49:50 all have that you know we all know how
49:52 it is to feel alone you let yourself
49:56 down or you let other people down mental
49:58 challenges in a high level professional
50:02 sport are 100% present with everyone.
50:04 It's just a matter of how you deal with
50:06 it, who you have in your support system
50:10 that can help you. So, I feel like it it
50:13 was great when I was able as a kid to
50:15 ask some of the the the guys who were
50:18 playing at the top level, you know, some
50:19 of the questions that were interesting
50:22 me and that just hearing from them two
50:24 or three sentences of how they think
50:26 that they were dealing with it and how
50:28 that affected them was huge to me. Even
50:30 if you heard it from someone else, but
50:32 just hearing it from them, it just has
50:35 this resonant power and impact and it
50:37 did help me a lot. I didn't have it from
50:39 my top rivals at the time, but I had it
50:41 from some guys like even Lubichic, for
50:42 example, who was, you know, fellow
50:45 Croatian tennis player, and he was a
50:46 number three or four in the world at
50:48 that point. And then I was uh breaking
50:50 through as a teenager and we shared the
50:53 same tennis coach. He influenced me in a
50:56 positive way to like change the racket
50:58 or string pattern or strings and all of
51:02 these small details that you might not
51:04 think that are maybe relevant or but you
51:06 hear them. you hear it from them and
51:07 then you're like, "Okay, now I'm ready
51:09 to make the decision because I trust
51:11 what he tells me cuz you know he's a
51:13 testament to what he's preaching basically."
51:14 basically."
51:15 >> Yeah. Yeah. It's so interesting because
51:18 I love that you offered that. I was
51:19 talking to Carmelo Anthony recently, the
51:22 basketball player from the Knicks and
51:24 >> you know, very successful Hall of Famer
51:27 >> and he was telling me that in basketball
51:29 he doesn't find the young players being
51:31 that open
51:33 >> to coaching and guidance from the senior
51:35 players. How do you find it in tennis?
51:37 Is it more open? Is there Did you get
51:38 people coming back and saying, "Novak, I
51:39 have loads of questions for you."
51:41 >> Yeah, I would agree with that with
51:43 Carmelo because also in tennis because
51:45 it's an individual sport as well, it
51:48 makes it even more isolated solitude
51:52 sport where you are focused on your team
51:54 and you create your own environment,
51:56 community, and you're like excluding
51:57 everything else, which is
52:00 understandable, you know, to some point.
52:02 Contrary to let's say basketball, we we
52:05 do share the locker room. So we sitting
52:07 next to each other or warming up next to
52:09 each other playing finals for the
52:11 biggest tournament, which is crazy to
52:13 think about it, you know, whereas, you
52:15 know, obviously the the basketball or
52:16 football, soccer, you know, these guys,
52:18 they don't see each other until they
52:21 actually on the court. We, you know,
52:22 look at each other, send each other
52:24 looks, our team members send each other
52:26 looks in the locker room and stuff. And
52:28 so the battle starts already there. So
52:30 from that point of view, it's kind of
52:32 hard to expect that they would come and
52:34 say, "Hey, look, you know, give me some
52:37 advice. How I how can I beat you?" But
52:39 uh but that's why I'm saying like
52:41 there's many more other things that can
52:43 be very helpful like outside of the court.
52:44 court.
52:47 >> And yes, there are some young players
52:50 that are how can I say open, more
52:53 flexible, more curious. And I think it's
52:55 not maybe not so much about that, but
52:58 it's it's about how shy you are or how
53:00 courageous you are to really, you know,
53:03 break that boundary and not be afraid of
53:06 coming to me or to someone that you look
53:08 up to and say, "Hey, can I ask you a
53:11 question?" You know, more often I would
53:14 get questions through their team
53:16 members, to my team members, to me. >> Yeah.
53:16 >> Yeah.
53:18 >> And so, and then I would approach them
53:19 and say, "Hey, you can, you know, you
53:21 can talk to me. There's no problem."
53:22 Yeah. but you know I don't want to
53:24 bother you and stuff like this. So yeah
53:26 I I think it's very nice if you have
53:29 that exchange even if it's a a short one
53:32 because the level of appreciation and
53:35 respect which I think is ultimately the
53:37 most important thing in sports you know
53:39 yes we all want to win. Yes we all want
53:40 to be the best. Yes we all want to make
53:43 records in history. appreciating
53:45 appreciating
53:48 what your fellow athlete goes through.
53:49 Compassionate, being compassionate and
53:52 empathizing with him or her and
53:56 respecting the process is something that
53:58 is more eternal. >> Yeah.
53:58 >> Yeah.
54:01 >> In your heart, in your soul, and in in
54:04 the eyes of all the other people than
54:05 any achievement or any success. I mean,
54:07 that's at least how I see it.
54:08 >> I love that. I I couldn't agree with you
54:10 more because I always try to remind
54:12 people that the only person who can
54:13 truly relate to you
54:16 >> is that person. Like your competitors
54:18 are the only people who can actually relate
54:19 relate
54:22 >> to what it feels like to be you because
54:24 your team, they can't fully relate. Of
54:26 course they can relate. They play tennis
54:28 and they understand the game.
54:29 >> But they don't know what it feels like
54:31 to be in that locker room before you go
54:33 on to be at the net when the score is
54:35 not in your favor. Like even I talk
54:37 about even in our industry like I like
54:39 to be friends with everyone in my
54:41 industry and I like to connect with
54:43 anyone that you genuinely get along with
54:45 because for me I'm like you're the only
54:48 person who understands what it feels like
54:49 like
54:52 >> to interview people to get the public
54:54 criticism to have the scrutiny to be
54:56 careful about what you're saying to you
54:59 know whatever it may be and if I'm not
55:01 friends with you I I have my friends
55:02 from back home in London who I loved and
55:04 my best friends but They don't know what
55:06 it feels like to do this, right?
55:08 >> And so in this part of my life, there's
55:10 a difference. I wonder with you, you've
55:12 been through and and I want to talk
55:14 about some really pivotal moments.
55:16 You've been through so many injuries,
55:18 losses, all of that
55:19 >> at this point in your career when you've
55:21 achieved so much, you've been through so
55:23 much. What goes through your mind when
55:25 you lose? Now
55:26 >> answer that, but just want to reflect on
55:28 what you said on the industry because I
55:30 think it's super important. Uh um and
55:32 that's the mentality the right kind of
55:35 mentality and the philosophy of uh
55:38 instead of division it's unity it's
55:40 collaboration it's understanding it's
55:43 support it's respect it's appreciation
55:45 it's coming together it's growing
55:47 industry together understanding that
55:50 you're all yes you are competitors I
55:52 mean even in your industry you compete
55:54 for the audience and so forth and
55:56 there's a lot of you know podcasts out
55:58 there and it's understandable to a
56:00 certain point that you know there are
56:03 certain formulas that you developed and
56:05 tools that you want to keep to yourself
56:08 which is 100% understandable but at the
56:10 same time overall in a general
56:13 perspective of things we are part of the
56:15 same industry we need to grow we need to
56:16 grow this awareness so that's how I also
56:20 see it for tennis you know in sports
56:22 even more so competition
56:26 and kind of a fierce mentality is so
56:30 prominent to the point where like for
56:32 example in basketball I love basketball
56:33 you know Serbia is a country of of
56:35 basketball is our you know national
56:38 sport number one and you have well
56:42 intentionally maybe in a in a midst of a
56:45 battle under the rim fighting for a
56:48 rebound hurt somebody and that's
56:50 somebody you elbow somebody okay and
56:52 that somebody's down and you can see him
56:55 in pain and you don't come and give him
56:58 a hand and says hey man sorry let's go I
57:01 don't see how that exposes your weakness
57:03 because I think that's in the in the
57:06 center of everything. It's like
57:07 >> don't show your weakness, don't show
57:11 your vulnerability, be strong, be tough,
57:12 whatever. Of course, we have to be
57:15 tough, be strong, be whatever, be fierce
57:17 in terms of like wanting to win and
57:19 finding way to win. But that doesn't
57:21 mean that we can be also human beings
57:24 that hey if if I did something to you in
57:26 a contact sport like basketball if it's
57:28 a foul or something like that hey you
57:30 just give him a hand one second and says
57:32 whatever let's go let's keep it going
57:34 that doesn't mean that you will not
57:36 battle in the next minute again.
57:38 >> Yeah. So that's the part which I don't
57:40 really understand fully or don't support
57:42 it but that's why like I feel like
57:45 coming together and really showing that
57:48 respect even if it's you know before the
57:50 game and after the game it really
57:53 resonates with people it does send
57:55 overall a good message and I think it
57:57 improves the sport and brings people
58:00 more together. Now to to your question
58:02 about losing a match, right? That was
58:04 >> Yeah. Like at this stage of your career,
58:06 I feel like you've obviously we've
58:07 talked about it. You're satisfied.
58:10 You've succeeded. You've come back from
58:13 like being down on points like and I'm
58:14 trying to get into your mindset just
58:16 where it's at today and and how it's
58:18 evolved over time. Like
58:20 >> what does it feel now when you lose have
58:21 an early exit? Like what does that feel
58:24 like now compared to before?
58:27 >> As hard as hard as it was before. Yeah.
58:30 Sometimes there is no rule. Sometimes it
58:33 takes me an hour, sometimes half a day,
58:35 sometimes a day, sometimes a week to go
58:37 over the loss. I mean, it just really
58:41 depends. But right after the match,
58:44 you know, I would uh if I have to
58:46 reflect shortly about the match with my
58:49 team, but I just want to be left alone.
58:50 Yeah. I just have to go through my
58:54 process. I don't like the the chitchat,
58:57 the small talk of trying to lift my
59:00 spirits up right after the match. I just
59:02 like just give me some time. I need to
59:05 isolate myself, go in my room, go
59:07 outside, walk, whatever it is, you know,
59:11 just blow some steam out. And then when
59:13 I do that, then I'm ready to, you know,
59:16 talk, socialize, and stuff like this. I
59:18 don't know whether that's something that
59:22 is good or not in general terms. Uh but
59:25 that's just me. I feel like it's really
59:27 hard for me to digest that I lost the
59:28 match. As I said, sometimes takes
59:30 longer, sometimes shorter to get out of
59:33 it. But I do need definitely like few
59:37 hours to not see anybody. Like I I hug
59:39 my kids. If I see my kids, you know, my
59:41 kids sometimes within those few hours,
59:43 they get me and they're like, "Daddy, we
59:44 have to do this. You have to take me
59:47 there and stuff." So kids have that
59:50 permission to come into my space but you
59:52 know anybody else I just need some some
59:53 time and I
59:56 >> I just feel like it's sometimes is
59:59 necessary to have that and in solitude
60:01 is not necessarily bad >> and I feel like we all need to learn how
60:03 >> and I feel like we all need to learn how to embrace being in in solitude and
60:06 to embrace being in in solitude and being by and enjoy being by ourselves
60:08 being by and enjoy being by ourselves doesn't mean that we have to go to total
60:10 doesn't mean that we have to go to total extreme but it has to be balanced and
60:13 extreme but it has to be balanced and optimal but we need to create that time
60:16 optimal but we need to create that time for ourselves because also being bored
60:19 for ourselves because also being bored is good you know being bored this is
60:22 is good you know being bored this is something very interesting you know that
60:23 something very interesting you know that I also see with my with my kids like
60:25 I also see with my with my kids like particularly with my son keeps on
60:27 particularly with my son keeps on telling me he's 10 and he's like daddy
60:30 telling me he's 10 and he's like daddy like he just recently told me a few days
60:32 like he just recently told me a few days ago we were at at my parents' place
60:35 ago we were at at my parents' place countryside by the lake and we were
60:38 countryside by the lake and we were alone and he was we were playing
60:40 alone and he was we were playing different we were playing ping pong we
60:43 different we were playing ping pong we were doing some uh kayaking in the lake.
60:46 were doing some uh kayaking in the lake. So, and we played some football, soccer.
60:48 So, and we played some football, soccer. So, we had a quite active few hours of
60:52 So, we had a quite active few hours of first few hours of the day. And then I
60:54 first few hours of the day. And then I was doing something else. I don't know
60:56 was doing something else. I don't know what I was doing. And then he come up
60:58 what I was doing. And then he come up comes up to me. He's like, "Daddy, I'm
60:59 comes up to me. He's like, "Daddy, I'm bored." And then I had him sit down with
61:02 bored." And then I had him sit down with me and then I said, "But son, it's okay
61:04 me and then I said, "But son, it's okay to be bored sometimes. First of all, you
61:07 to be bored sometimes. First of all, you had a great active morning and you did a
61:09 had a great active morning and you did a lot of things. And second of all, you
61:13 lot of things. And second of all, you know, when you're bored, it doesn't mean
61:16 know, when you're bored, it doesn't mean that you have to instantly take a book
61:18 that you have to instantly take a book or a screen or anything else. You need
61:22 or a screen or anything else. You need to also learn how to be with your
61:24 to also learn how to be with your thoughts. And if you are not comfortable
61:28 thoughts. And if you are not comfortable being bored indoors, go outdoors. Sit on
61:30 being bored indoors, go outdoors. Sit on a chair and have have some drink and
61:33 a chair and have have some drink and just look at the sky. And I and I think
61:35 just look at the sky. And I and I think that's much easier said than done. And I
61:39 that's much easier said than done. And I and I I really would love my my children
61:41 and I I really would love my my children to to be able to be okay with being
61:44 to to be able to be okay with being bored because that's the time when
61:46 bored because that's the time when you're actually most creative or that's
61:49 you're actually most creative or that's the time when you can manage your
61:52 the time when you can manage your thoughts and everything that you have
61:53 thoughts and everything that you have been suppressing by distracting yourself
61:56 been suppressing by distracting yourself with phone with whatever it is. They
61:58 with phone with whatever it is. They don't have my kids don't have phones.
61:59 don't have my kids don't have phones. They're 10 and seven and and that's
62:01 They're 10 and seven and and that's another conversation. But you know it's
62:04 another conversation. But you know it's it's a struggle but it's important you
62:06 it's a struggle but it's important you know I think it's super important
62:07 know I think it's super important particularly for them at this young age
62:09 particularly for them at this young age to understand and develop a connection
62:12 to understand and develop a connection with nature with outdoors with activity
62:14 with nature with outdoors with activity with all these things and then it's
62:16 with all these things and then it's inevitable you know soon it will come a
62:19 inevitable you know soon it will come a moment where they'll have the the
62:21 moment where they'll have the the screens and well they're blend into the
62:23 screens and well they're blend into the society's norms and but at least I'll be
62:26 society's norms and but at least I'll be comfortable as a parent that I done what
62:29 comfortable as a parent that I done what I can to instill some of the
62:31 I can to instill some of the foundational things in them that they
62:34 foundational things in them that they will appreciate maybe not now but later
62:37 will appreciate maybe not now but later on in life. I think also, you know, when
62:39 on in life. I think also, you know, when I lose a match, I want to be distracted
62:42 I lose a match, I want to be distracted by something. I want to have my phone. I
62:44 by something. I want to have my phone. I want to watch something, read something.
62:46 want to watch something, read something. I wanna I want to distract myself. And
62:48 I wanna I want to distract myself. And that's one of the bad habits that I
62:50 that's one of the bad habits that I have. So, it's it's a battle for me. And
62:53 have. So, it's it's a battle for me. And that normally how I win this battle is
62:55 that normally how I win this battle is just go outside. And I either don't take
62:58 just go outside. And I either don't take my phone, I'll leave it, or if I take
63:00 my phone, I'll leave it, or if I take it, I'll just if I'm in the city, I'll
63:03 it, I'll just if I'm in the city, I'll just listen to something, listen to Jay
63:05 just listen to something, listen to Jay Shett's podcast on purpose, or I would
63:08 Shett's podcast on purpose, or I would do something, you know, just or normally
63:10 do something, you know, just or normally I would listen to a music,
63:12 I would listen to a music, >> you know, relaxing just to kind of calm
63:14 >> you know, relaxing just to kind of calm myself. I would prefer not listening to
63:16 myself. I would prefer not listening to anything and just being immersed in
63:19 anything and just being immersed in whatever is outdoors and trying to
63:20 whatever is outdoors and trying to trying to find a park, trying to find
63:22 trying to find a park, trying to find anything natural, you know, and I think
63:25 anything natural, you know, and I think that helps a lot. But I do need my time.
63:28 that helps a lot. But I do need my time. >> Yeah, that that's reaffirming for me
63:29 >> Yeah, that that's reaffirming for me because if I'm having a tough time, I've
63:32 because if I'm having a tough time, I've always found that being alone, I have to
63:35 always found that being alone, I have to first make sense of how I feel about
63:38 first make sense of how I feel about something before I hear everyone else's
63:41 something before I hear everyone else's feelings, right? because otherwise
63:43 feelings, right? because otherwise someone's feeling won't satisfy me. So
63:45 someone's feeling won't satisfy me. So even if someone said and I I assume
63:47 even if someone said and I I assume that's what you're saying. If someone
63:49 that's what you're saying. If someone came up to me and goes, "Oh J, but
63:50 came up to me and goes, "Oh J, but everything's going to be all right."
63:51 everything's going to be all right." >> It's like if I don't feel that and if I
63:54 >> It's like if I don't feel that and if I don't believe that, it doesn't matter
63:55 don't believe that, it doesn't matter how many times someone says that
63:56 how many times someone says that >> and and of course the intention is good
63:58 >> and and of course the intention is good for that person. But it's hard for you
64:01 for that person. But it's hard for you to see that at a given moment.
64:02 to see that at a given moment. >> Correct.
64:03 >> Correct. >> So I I agree with that. And I think to
64:04 >> So I I agree with that. And I think to to the point of distractions, I don't
64:07 to the point of distractions, I don't think that necessarily distractions are
64:10 think that necessarily distractions are 100% super negative.
64:13 100% super negative. >> And I'll explain. I I I think that for a
64:16 >> And I'll explain. I I I think that for a lot of people, they need a moment,
64:19 lot of people, they need a moment, however that moment lasts to it looks
64:24 however that moment lasts to it looks like they're distracting themselves like
64:26 like they're distracting themselves like when I do it, but it what I what I do is
64:28 when I do it, but it what I what I do is just bringing myself back to that
64:32 just bringing myself back to that center, whatever that is. Okay. And then
64:36 center, whatever that is. Okay. And then I'm ready to do some other practice of
64:38 I'm ready to do some other practice of breathing or whatever it is or I can
64:40 breathing or whatever it is or I can socialize. I can start speaking with
64:42 socialize. I can start speaking with people. Yes. And do other things. So I
64:44 people. Yes. And do other things. So I don't feel it's necessarily bad unless
64:47 don't feel it's necessarily bad unless you don't have any control of it. Unless
64:49 you don't have any control of it. Unless it just carries you into hours and hours
64:51 it just carries you into hours and hours of playing games or being on social
64:54 of playing games or being on social media of being if it's that then it's
64:56 media of being if it's that then it's not good. Yeah.
64:57 not good. Yeah. >> Then it's not good because then you're
64:59 >> Then it's not good because then you're disrupting your own rhythm. Well, what
65:01 disrupting your own rhythm. Well, what you're doing is you're disrupting the
65:03 you're doing is you're disrupting the pattern, right?
65:04 pattern, right? >> So, instead of being there and then
65:06 >> So, instead of being there and then you're just playing the game again in
65:07 you're just playing the game again in your head and being down on yourself and
65:10 your head and being down on yourself and being negative and
65:11 being negative and >> and so you're disrupting that pattern
65:13 >> and so you're disrupting that pattern with the distraction and then that's a
65:15 with the distraction and then that's a good thing because then you don't get
65:17 good thing because then you don't get into that spiral and it's not like
65:18 into that spiral and it's not like you're checking what people said on the
65:20 you're checking what people said on the comments about the game, right? You're
65:22 comments about the game, right? You're dis you're disconnecting from the game.
65:24 dis you're disconnecting from the game. >> I'm disconnecting. Well, the thing is
65:26 >> I'm disconnecting. Well, the thing is that if you're on social media, which I
65:28 that if you're on social media, which I I do have a tendency to go to social
65:30 I do have a tendency to go to social media as well, like right after, even
65:32 media as well, like right after, even though
65:33 though >> I don't want to, but part of me wants
65:35 >> I don't want to, but part of me wants to. It's also where I find some short
65:37 to. It's also where I find some short clips of what happened in the match and
65:39 clips of what happened in the match and then kind of like analyze what what
65:41 then kind of like analyze what what happened and how I why I did what I did
65:43 happened and how I why I did what I did or whatever, what could I could could
65:45 or whatever, what could I could could have done better.
65:46 have done better. >> And then I see, you know, this obviously
65:49 >> And then I see, you know, this obviously this shocking headlines like Jookovic is
65:51 this shocking headlines like Jookovic is out, you know, he lost. I mean, what a
65:53 out, you know, he lost. I mean, what a shock early blah blah blah. then I get
65:55 shock early blah blah blah. then I get pissed off and then I just switch that
65:57 pissed off and then I just switch that off. Right? So I don't even get to the
65:59 off. Right? So I don't even get to the comments or section or anything like
66:01 comments or section or anything like that. Then I just leave it for whatever
66:03 that. Then I just leave it for whatever whatever time. And then what you're
66:05 whatever time. And then what you're doing is you are changing that state
66:10 doing is you are changing that state you're in. Cuz if you are really wired
66:15 you're in. Cuz if you are really wired in that moment, you are like almost
66:18 in that moment, you are like almost going to burst. It's not good. I mean,
66:21 going to burst. It's not good. I mean, how can you have a a rational
66:24 how can you have a a rational conversation with anybody if you're in
66:27 conversation with anybody if you're in that state? And then normally in that
66:28 that state? And then normally in that state, if you start making decisions
66:30 state, if you start making decisions when you're hotaded, not good as well. I
66:33 when you're hotaded, not good as well. I think that these are the the ways of
66:35 think that these are the the ways of like if you can like cool yourself down
66:39 like if you can like cool yourself down and then I mean a cold shower is
66:41 and then I mean a cold shower is something that I also do sometimes when
66:43 something that I also do sometimes when I'm coldheaded that I think also helps
66:46 I'm coldheaded that I think also helps with kind of biology and I feel like
66:49 with kind of biology and I feel like physiology just like helps my mind my
66:52 physiology just like helps my mind my brain calm down and then I'm able to
66:55 brain calm down and then I'm able to address topics that I want to address.
66:57 address topics that I want to address. >> It's almost like what it takes to be to
67:00 >> It's almost like what it takes to be to emotionally regulate.
67:01 emotionally regulate. >> Yeah. And if you go straight into
67:03 >> Yeah. And if you go straight into analyzing the game or talking about it,
67:06 analyzing the game or talking about it, you're actually heartbeat's going up,
67:08 you're actually heartbeat's going up, you're breathing shallow again, you're
67:10 you're breathing shallow again, you're replaying the miss shot, and all of a
67:12 replaying the miss shot, and all of a sudden you're just bombarded by all the
67:13 sudden you're just bombarded by all the same emotions again. And so you've got
67:15 same emotions again. And so you've got to sometimes just calm that down before
67:18 to sometimes just calm that down before you can do that effectively. It makes a
67:19 you can do that effectively. It makes a lot of sense. But what I love hearing,
67:21 lot of sense. But what I love hearing, which is what I love about all my
67:22 which is what I love about all my favorite athletes, and you're
67:24 favorite athletes, and you're definitely, you know, when I think about
67:25 definitely, you know, when I think about my favorite athletes, you're in tennis,
67:27 my favorite athletes, you're in tennis, Cristiano in soccer, Lewis Hamilton in
67:30 Cristiano in soccer, Lewis Hamilton in in F1. Like people sometimes will make
67:33 in F1. Like people sometimes will make fun of Cristiano online for still crying
67:35 fun of Cristiano online for still crying when he loses.
67:36 when he loses. >> I love that. Like, as a fan, I love
67:39 >> I love that. Like, as a fan, I love that. Like, I love to see that he's he's
67:41 that. Like, I love to see that he's he's crying after all this time. Like, you
67:43 crying after all this time. Like, you know, he's the number one goal scorer in
67:45 know, he's the number one goal scorer in the world. He's, you know, in my
67:47 the world. He's, you know, in my opinion, he's achieved everything he
67:48 opinion, he's achieved everything he could possibly could. He's played
67:50 could possibly could. He's played amazing for his country, same way as
67:51 amazing for his country, same way as you.
67:52 you. >> But it's like he's still crying and the
67:54 >> But it's like he's still crying and the game's not even It's not the Champions
67:56 game's not even It's not the Champions League.
67:57 League. >> He cares.
67:58 >> He cares. >> Yeah, he cares. Exactly.
67:59 >> Yeah, he cares. Exactly. >> He cares and and I I agree with you. I
68:01 >> He cares and and I I agree with you. I think Well, this is the point that we
68:03 think Well, this is the point that we discussed on particularly men
68:06 discussed on particularly men professional sports there's no room for
68:09 professional sports there's no room for vulnerability and because that shows
68:12 vulnerability and because that shows weakness. weakness exploits you and when
68:15 weakness. weakness exploits you and when something exploits you then you're
68:16 something exploits you then you're vulnerable to you know lose the match or
68:19 vulnerable to you know lose the match or game or whatever it is. I mean that
68:21 game or whatever it is. I mean that that's the narrative. When you're crying
68:24 that's the narrative. When you're crying you are yeah you're you're often
68:26 you are yeah you're you're often regarded as a very weak man and I have
68:31 regarded as a very weak man and I have had the same view for quite a long time
68:34 had the same view for quite a long time I must say and I changed that about 10
68:37 I must say and I changed that about 10 years ago my upbringing there was no
68:39 years ago my upbringing there was no room for emotions that was just like
68:42 room for emotions that was just like serious I have to do my job and I have
68:45 serious I have to do my job and I have to be successful no room for error etc.
68:48 to be successful no room for error etc. But it also you know comes from I think
68:51 But it also you know comes from I think my home where I didn't have that
68:53 my home where I didn't have that relationship where I when I would cry I
68:55 relationship where I when I would cry I would be you know with my father
68:57 would be you know with my father especially that I would feel safe I
69:00 especially that I would feel safe I would not feel that and and so I had to
69:03 would not feel that and and so I had to not cry and be tough and then I have to
69:07 not cry and be tough and then I have to I kind of close myself you know and and
69:09 I kind of close myself you know and and to the point where I wasn't able to
69:11 to the point where I wasn't able to express myself emotionally I didn't at
69:13 express myself emotionally I didn't at the time when I started dating my
69:16 the time when I started dating my girlfriend at the time my wife you you
69:18 girlfriend at the time my wife you you know, it was hard for me to to kind of
69:21 know, it was hard for me to to kind of express what I feel even though I I'm
69:24 express what I feel even though I I'm very talkative person. I'm very, you
69:26 very talkative person. I'm very, you know, I like to communicate and I feel
69:28 know, I like to communicate and I feel like I'm very approachable in that in
69:30 like I'm very approachable in that in that sense. But for a long time, that
69:32 that sense. But for a long time, that was that was a kind of a narrative,
69:33 was that was a kind of a narrative, particularly in, you know, men's sports
69:35 particularly in, you know, men's sports as we talked about it. So I I do like
69:37 as we talked about it. So I I do like that about Cristiano as well because in
69:39 that about Cristiano as well because in the end of the day, you know, he's
69:41 the end of the day, you know, he's giving his heart out on the pitch for
69:45 giving his heart out on the pitch for his team for the fans and that
69:50 his team for the fans and that ultimately needs to be respected because
69:52 ultimately needs to be respected because the guy at his age 40 after everything
69:55 the guy at his age 40 after everything he has achieved still going, still wants
69:57 he has achieved still going, still wants to win in a league that is far weaker
70:00 to win in a league that is far weaker than the best leagues in Europe, you
70:02 than the best leagues in Europe, you know, but he still has this champions
70:04 know, but he still has this champions mentality and he'll always have it as
70:06 mentality and he'll always have it as long as he's playing. So, uh yeah,
70:09 long as he's playing. So, uh yeah, absolutely credit to him for that and
70:11 absolutely credit to him for that and and I do resonate with with that and I
70:14 and I do resonate with with that and I cried many times after my losses in the
70:17 cried many times after my losses in the locker room but also on the court
70:19 locker room but also on the court particularly after Olympics like losses
70:22 particularly after Olympics like losses at Olympic games for my country or Davis
70:24 at Olympic games for my country or Davis Cup when I play for my country that's
70:26 Cup when I play for my country that's like even stronger intensity of emotions
70:29 like even stronger intensity of emotions that you go through because you're not
70:32 that you go through because you're not playing for yourself only in that way. I
70:34 playing for yourself only in that way. I mean, when I play all the tournaments, I
70:36 mean, when I play all the tournaments, I always represent my country. But here in
70:38 always represent my country. But here in this official team competitions or
70:40 this official team competitions or Olympics, it's even more emphasized the
70:44 Olympics, it's even more emphasized the importance of your country of wearing
70:46 importance of your country of wearing those colors, you know, on your sleeve
70:48 those colors, you know, on your sleeve or in your heart. So, when you lose,
70:51 or in your heart. So, when you lose, you're like, you know, you're so down
70:54 you're like, you know, you're so down and the whole world collapsed. I'm very
70:57 and the whole world collapsed. I'm very happy that I I was able to win the
70:58 happy that I I was able to win the golden medal for my country last year in
71:00 golden medal for my country last year in Paris Olympics because it was a long
71:03 Paris Olympics because it was a long time dream of mine and the Olympic Games
71:06 time dream of mine and the Olympic Games are just so special. You know, every
71:07 are just so special. You know, every four years I know LA is the next one
71:09 four years I know LA is the next one obviously.
71:10 obviously. >> My wish is to be able to play LA. I mean
71:12 >> My wish is to be able to play LA. I mean hopefully I'll be still still playing to
71:14 hopefully I'll be still still playing to to be able to participate.
71:16 to be able to participate. >> Yeah, I hope so too. It would be fun to
71:17 >> Yeah, I hope so too. It would be fun to be able to just watch you locally for
71:20 be able to just watch you locally for once.
71:20 once. >> And we got the soccer world coming to
71:22 >> And we got the soccer world coming to America, too. So,
71:24 America, too. So, >> it's an exciting time. But no, it's I
71:25 >> it's an exciting time. But no, it's I love hearing that as well. Just like
71:27 love hearing that as well. Just like when you're playing for yourself, you
71:29 when you're playing for yourself, you let yourself down. You let the fans
71:30 let yourself down. You let the fans down. But when you're playing for your
71:32 down. But when you're playing for your country, you let the country down. And
71:34 country, you let the country down. And you know, no one wants to let their
71:36 you know, no one wants to let their country down. No one wants to, you know,
71:38 country down. No one wants to, you know, everyone wants to represent well. And I
71:40 everyone wants to represent well. And I think sometimes at a national level,
71:42 think sometimes at a national level, athletes get it really tough when you
71:45 athletes get it really tough when you lose for your country. Yes.
71:47 lose for your country. Yes. >> It's it's one of the hardest feelings
71:48 >> It's it's one of the hardest feelings cuz Yeah. It's a different emotion. And
71:51 cuz Yeah. It's a different emotion. And I think we forget as fans and followers,
71:54 I think we forget as fans and followers, you forget the human
71:57 you forget the human >> experience aspect. Yeah.
71:59 >> experience aspect. Yeah. >> No, for sure. I mean, look, we are very
72:01 >> No, for sure. I mean, look, we are very blessed as athletes on the highest level
72:04 blessed as athletes on the highest level to be able to play the sport that we
72:06 to be able to play the sport that we fell in love with because if not all,
72:08 fell in love with because if not all, but super majority of professional
72:12 but super majority of professional athletes play those sports on the
72:14 athletes play those sports on the highest level. uh because when they were
72:17 highest level. uh because when they were kids they wanted to play tennis,
72:20 kids they wanted to play tennis, basketball, football, whatever. They
72:21 basketball, football, whatever. They fell in love and it's a love and passion
72:24 fell in love and it's a love and passion for the game that got you going. So it's
72:27 for the game that got you going. So it's important to state that because you know
72:30 important to state that because you know we are for sure fortunate ones but at
72:33 we are for sure fortunate ones but at the same time we feel that through sport
72:36 the same time we feel that through sport we are able to connect with people and
72:38 we are able to connect with people and people are able to connect
72:40 people are able to connect >> with the virtues that sport and the
72:44 >> with the virtues that sport and the values that sport represents that help
72:46 values that sport represents that help them in their everyday life. I think
72:48 them in their everyday life. I think they that's not something that is has
72:50 they that's not something that is has been talked about a lot.
72:52 been talked about a lot. >> Yeah I agree on how why is it that our
72:54 >> Yeah I agree on how why is it that our sports are so popular? Why is it that
72:56 sports are so popular? Why is it that people relate to athletes? It's because
72:59 people relate to athletes? It's because of this grit, because of this battle. We
73:02 of this grit, because of this battle. We all go through internal battle on the
73:04 all go through internal battle on the daily basis. And in sports, we can of
73:07 daily basis. And in sports, we can of course admire the the features of um an
73:11 course admire the the features of um an athlete and the skills and the talent
73:15 athlete and the skills and the talent and the abilities, but at the same time,
73:17 and the abilities, but at the same time, we also identify ourselves with those
73:20 we also identify ourselves with those athletes. We we feel like
73:22 athletes. We we feel like >> wow you know that this game or a match
73:26 >> wow you know that this game or a match it's in a way a condensed daily life or
73:30 it's in a way a condensed daily life or a condensed life into an hour or two or
73:32 a condensed life into an hour or two or three where you you start at the
73:35 three where you you start at the beginning you're even then you end up
73:38 beginning you're even then you end up you know winning or losing but in the
73:40 you know winning or losing but in the process or journey of the match and the
73:43 process or journey of the match and the game you're going through ups and downs
73:46 game you're going through ups and downs you're going and particularly in the
73:47 you're going and particularly in the individual sports you're going you
73:49 individual sports you're going you mentioned Lewis Hamilton another great
73:50 mentioned Lewis Hamilton another great legend. You're going through that battle
73:53 legend. You're going through that battle of you know trying to win that inner
73:56 of you know trying to win that inner battle where you go through your doubts,
73:58 battle where you go through your doubts, your worries, your fears. So all of
74:01 your worries, your fears. So all of these elements are part of everyday life
74:05 these elements are part of everyday life of everyday person and that's why I feel
74:07 of everyday person and that's why I feel like people relate to sports and also
74:10 like people relate to sports and also they they when they go to see sport live
74:12 they they when they go to see sport live particularly but also when they watch it
74:14 particularly but also when they watch it on TV I feel they're able because they
74:17 on TV I feel they're able because they they are so connected to the community
74:20 they are so connected to the community of that club or that athlete or whatever
74:22 of that club or that athlete or whatever it is they feel like all of their
74:26 it is they feel like all of their problems stop at least for those hour
74:29 problems stop at least for those hour two three hours that they are watching
74:32 two three hours that they are watching >> and they feel like they can also when
74:35 >> and they feel like they can also when they're watching I mean that's my
74:37 they're watching I mean that's my observation and experience with tennis
74:39 observation and experience with tennis fans for example or or I mean of course
74:41 fans for example or or I mean of course I watch basketball live as well or the
74:43 I watch basketball live as well or the other fans of the other sports is that
74:45 other fans of the other sports is that that's where they feel like they can
74:48 that's where they feel like they can free themselves of the emotions and the
74:50 free themselves of the emotions and the burdens that are kind of wearing them
74:52 burdens that are kind of wearing them down and and some sometimes it really
74:56 down and and some sometimes it really goes to an extreme level where people
74:59 goes to an extreme level where people start really or swearing and fighting
75:02 start really or swearing and fighting and throwing stuff at the the athletes
75:04 and throwing stuff at the the athletes and behaving really bad like hooligans.
75:07 and behaving really bad like hooligans. And that's obviously a part that I don't
75:09 And that's obviously a part that I don't support. But I can see that there's a
75:11 support. But I can see that there's a lot of people that like it's why that's
75:13 lot of people that like it's why that's why like after a game they either feel
75:15 why like after a game they either feel drained or they feel energized. M
75:17 drained or they feel energized. M >> they either feel like they've
75:20 >> they either feel like they've kind of like collected that energy from
75:22 kind of like collected that energy from the stadium or they feel like they're
75:24 the stadium or they feel like they're completely like a deflated balloon
75:26 completely like a deflated balloon because they've, you know, been through
75:30 because they've, you know, been through crazy intensity of the emotions and they
75:33 crazy intensity of the emotions and they relate. They follow every point and
75:36 relate. They follow every point and every second of the game and then they
75:38 every second of the game and then they in the end of course if their team loses
75:40 in the end of course if their team loses it's it's a big difference than when
75:42 it's it's a big difference than when they win. But it's just that
75:45 they win. But it's just that identification that happens that I feel
75:47 identification that happens that I feel like is super strong and why sports are
75:50 like is super strong and why sports are so important for the society and why
75:51 so important for the society and why people regarded as very something very
75:54 people regarded as very something very popular and important for them. And I'm
75:55 popular and important for them. And I'm really glad you're having that
75:56 really glad you're having that conversation because I think it can have
75:59 conversation because I think it can have even as a kid like I grew up playing
76:01 even as a kid like I grew up playing sport never you know good enough to play
76:03 sport never you know good enough to play at any semi-professional even
76:05 at any semi-professional even professional level but sport created
76:07 professional level but sport created discipline in my life even as someone
76:09 discipline in my life even as someone who wasn't
76:10 who wasn't >> you know that prolificate sport it
76:11 >> you know that prolificate sport it created discipline created teamwork if
76:14 created discipline created teamwork if you were playing a team sport created
76:15 you were playing a team sport created timeliness created commitment created
76:18 timeliness created commitment created showing up there were so many healthy
76:20 showing up there were so many healthy valuable masculine
76:22 valuable masculine >> traits as well that were so important
76:24 >> traits as well that were so important and of course for women as well. And
76:26 and of course for women as well. And it's interesting what you say about it
76:28 it's interesting what you say about it going the toxic side because I think it
76:31 going the toxic side because I think it was the last Euros of the World Cup and
76:33 was the last Euros of the World Cup and there was this statistic about how
76:35 there was this statistic about how domestic violence in England goes up if
76:38 domestic violence in England goes up if England lose
76:40 England lose >> but it goes up even more if England win.
76:43 >> but it goes up even more if England win. >> Oh wow.
76:44 >> Oh wow. >> Because people drink more when they win.
76:46 >> Because people drink more when they win. >> Right.
76:46 >> Right. >> So and that's just so shocking that you
76:48 >> So and that's just so shocking that you see that connection too. And that's why
76:51 see that connection too. And that's why I think it's even more important to get
76:52 I think it's even more important to get these positive messages through sport
76:55 these positive messages through sport out so that we don't have that kind of a
76:57 out so that we don't have that kind of a statistic because and that's
76:59 statistic because and that's specifically to do with football,
77:01 specifically to do with football, soccer.
77:01 soccer. >> Yes, of course.
77:02 >> Yes, of course. >> Um but
77:02 >> Um but >> no, it is a super important and I think
77:04 >> no, it is a super important and I think but in in football it's far more extreme
77:06 but in in football it's far more extreme than in tennis in terms of the
77:08 than in tennis in terms of the >> tennis ultra fans and you know the kind
77:11 >> tennis ultra fans and you know the kind of like uh
77:13 of like uh >> following and and uh being such an ultra
77:17 >> following and and uh being such an ultra devoted fan. I mean, they literally live
77:20 devoted fan. I mean, they literally live for that the entire year, which I think
77:22 for that the entire year, which I think it's beautiful when you see
77:23 it's beautiful when you see choreographies of some fans in the
77:26 choreographies of some fans in the basketball games or football games and
77:28 basketball games or football games and and it's just it's it's arts. It's
77:31 and it's just it's it's arts. It's beautiful, you know, and then this
77:33 beautiful, you know, and then this energy when thousands and tens of
77:35 energy when thousands and tens of thousands of people start singing
77:36 thousands of people start singing together for their club. I mean, it's
77:39 together for their club. I mean, it's it's incredible feeling. That's why we
77:41 it's incredible feeling. That's why we all love being present to experience
77:43 all love being present to experience that because ultimately
77:45 that because ultimately >> human beings love to experience things
77:48 >> human beings love to experience things because that
77:49 because that >> that fills our life
77:51 >> that fills our life >> and and then sports allow us to do that.
77:53 >> and and then sports allow us to do that. that allow us to experience some
77:55 that allow us to experience some incredible enthusiastic
77:58 incredible enthusiastic exhilarating type of uh uplifting
78:02 exhilarating type of uh uplifting energy, joy, but it also the sadness or
78:07 energy, joy, but it also the sadness or or anxiousness and stuff and and so all
78:10 or anxiousness and stuff and and so all of these emotions that you go through is
78:13 of these emotions that you go through is just an incredible school of life in
78:16 just an incredible school of life in some way. But you're right, you know, it
78:18 some way. But you're right, you know, it also teaches professional sports teach a
78:21 also teaches professional sports teach a great dis great deal of discipline and
78:23 great dis great deal of discipline and also the never giving up spirit that I
78:26 also the never giving up spirit that I think it's it's it's important for
78:28 think it's it's it's important for people because today in the society
78:31 people because today in the society because
78:32 because >> a lot of people look to to conform to be
78:35 >> a lot of people look to to conform to be comfortable to you know there's always
78:37 comfortable to you know there's always you know something that I can do
78:38 you know something that I can do differently they don't finish things so
78:40 differently they don't finish things so it's important to kind of remind
78:42 it's important to kind of remind yourself to be devoted and and not give
78:45 yourself to be devoted and and not give up and believe that you you know,
78:47 up and believe that you you know, achieve something that you set yourself
78:49 achieve something that you set yourself up to. And uh so yeah, sports sports
78:51 up to. And uh so yeah, sports sports definitely send those values and you're
78:53 definitely send those values and you're right, it's important to always
78:55 right, it's important to always emphasize that.
78:56 emphasize that. >> Yeah. One of my favorite stories
78:57 >> Yeah. One of my favorite stories actually
78:59 actually of that never give up mindset was
79:01 of that never give up mindset was Vanessa Bryant tells this story after
79:04 Vanessa Bryant tells this story after Kobe Bryant tragically passed away. And
79:07 Kobe Bryant tragically passed away. And she said that Kobe played through a lot
79:10 she said that Kobe played through a lot of games, especially finals, when he was
79:12 of games, especially finals, when he was injured.
79:13 injured. >> Yeah. and she would ask him and say,
79:16 >> Yeah. and she would ask him and say, "Why are you playing when you're
79:18 "Why are you playing when you're injured? You should just not play. Like,
79:19 injured? You should just not play. Like, it's okay." And he would say that if I
79:23 it's okay." And he would say that if I don't play, there's going to be a fan
79:25 don't play, there's going to be a fan out there who's saved up
79:28 out there who's saved up >> to watch this game and they can only
79:30 >> to watch this game and they can only come to one game in their life cuz it's
79:31 come to one game in their life cuz it's expensive to get seats. And they saved
79:33 expensive to get seats. And they saved up to watch me play. And if I don't
79:35 up to watch me play. And if I don't play, they won't see me play. And so,
79:37 play, they won't see me play. And so, I'm going to play through an injury. And
79:39 I'm going to play through an injury. And I'm like, when you hear stories like
79:41 I'm like, when you hear stories like that of athletes doing incredible
79:43 that of athletes doing incredible things, you think, wow, like
79:45 things, you think, wow, like >> that's the power, that's the motivation.
79:47 >> that's the power, that's the motivation. I was going to ask you, I mean, you've
79:49 I was going to ask you, I mean, you've played through and overcome some bad
79:52 played through and overcome some bad injuries. What's the worst injury that
79:54 injuries. What's the worst injury that you ever had to overcome to be able to
79:57 you ever had to overcome to be able to come back at the top? I had a surgery of
79:59 come back at the top? I had a surgery of my elbow back in 2017 and I've kind of
80:02 my elbow back in 2017 and I've kind of uh had that injury for a year and a half
80:05 uh had that injury for a year and a half and I tried with I don't normally drink
80:08 and I tried with I don't normally drink anti-inflammatories. I don't like that
80:09 anti-inflammatories. I don't like that those tablets and
80:12 those tablets and cortisol shots or anything like that. I
80:15 cortisol shots or anything like that. I feel like that's only masking the
80:18 feel like that's only masking the problem. But you know sometimes if you
80:21 problem. But you know sometimes if you really you know in tennis we we
80:24 really you know in tennis we we sometimes play five six days in a row
80:27 sometimes play five six days in a row and you have no other option and if you
80:29 and you have no other option and if you want to stay alive in the tournament you
80:31 want to stay alive in the tournament you have to do it. So I've done it for like
80:33 have to do it. So I've done it for like a year or something with playing uh
80:35 a year or something with playing uh under these pills like every single
80:37 under these pills like every single match
80:38 match >> to the point where I didn't feel pain
80:40 >> to the point where I didn't feel pain anymore. Sorry, actually I felt the pain
80:45 anymore. Sorry, actually I felt the pain even if I was taking the full dose of
80:48 even if I was taking the full dose of anti-inflammatories and that's was the
80:50 anti-inflammatories and that's was the sign for me like I have to you know
80:52 sign for me like I have to you know operate this I have to do something
80:54 operate this I have to do something different I made a kind of a a little
80:56 different I made a kind of a a little bit of a while to myself and promise
80:59 bit of a while to myself and promise that I will not operate myself
81:01 that I will not operate myself throughout my career will not make any
81:03 throughout my career will not make any surgery and that was I I felt I let
81:05 surgery and that was I I felt I let myself down. I cried for days that I
81:07 myself down. I cried for days that I accepted to do a surgery but surgery was
81:09 accepted to do a surgery but surgery was done very well. You cried for days.
81:11 done very well. You cried for days. >> Yeah, because I felt like I let myself
81:13 >> Yeah, because I felt like I let myself down. I said, you know, I wanted to go
81:15 down. I said, you know, I wanted to go throughout my entire career without
81:16 throughout my entire career without having one surgery. But it happened and
81:19 having one surgery. But it happened and I had an aroscopic intervention on my
81:22 I had an aroscopic intervention on my knee last year during a match in Roland
81:24 knee last year during a match in Roland Garas actually fourth round. I've won in
81:27 Garas actually fourth round. I've won in five sets after four and something
81:29 five sets after four and something hours. But I was uh I was winning set
81:32 hours. But I was uh I was winning set and and a half comfortably in the last
81:35 and and a half comfortably in the last 16 round. And then I felt a click. It
81:38 16 round. And then I felt a click. It was something. It was very weird. And I
81:40 was something. It was very weird. And I never had an injury of the knee luckily
81:42 never had an injury of the knee luckily at least that severe. And then you know
81:45 at least that severe. And then you know I started to play but I could not stand
81:47 I started to play but I could not stand on my leg and I was playing through the
81:49 on my leg and I was playing through the pain. Then I invited the physio and the
81:52 pain. Then I invited the physio and the doctor and then you know he was touching
81:54 doctor and then you know he was touching me in this spot where my meniscus is and
81:57 me in this spot where my meniscus is and I felt wow and that's very painful. He's
81:59 I felt wow and that's very painful. He's like what do you want to do? And I said
82:01 like what do you want to do? And I said listen you know I want to I want to give
82:03 listen you know I want to I want to give it a shot. I want to try. Just give me
82:05 it a shot. I want to try. Just give me strongest painkillers you you have right
82:07 strongest painkillers you you have right now cuz I'm on the court full stadium. I
82:10 now cuz I'm on the court full stadium. I can't just I I want to try. So that's
82:14 can't just I I want to try. So that's what he's they've done and after 30
82:17 what he's they've done and after 30 minutes they start kicking in and I was
82:18 minutes they start kicking in and I was kind of surviving in this 30 minutes and
82:20 kind of surviving in this 30 minutes and then the pain went down. The pain was
82:23 then the pain went down. The pain was still there but I went through it and I
82:24 still there but I went through it and I won the match and I actually finished
82:26 won the match and I actually finished the match with pretty good feeling. I
82:29 the match with pretty good feeling. I still had pain but it was pretty good
82:30 still had pain but it was pretty good feeling and I was like confident for my
82:32 feeling and I was like confident for my quarterfinals. It was coming up in two
82:33 quarterfinals. It was coming up in two days, but the next day I went for an MRI
82:35 days, but the next day I went for an MRI and I saw I have a ruptured uh meniscus
82:38 and I saw I have a ruptured uh meniscus and basically had to be operated. So I I
82:41 and basically had to be operated. So I I pulled out on the tournament and I did
82:43 pulled out on the tournament and I did that operation and the Wimbledon was
82:45 that operation and the Wimbledon was coming up in 3 weeks and then my team
82:48 coming up in 3 weeks and then my team was I still remember that conversation
82:50 was I still remember that conversation with my team on the rooftop and on the
82:52 with my team on the rooftop and on the back of that story that you told me
82:54 back of that story that you told me about Vanessa and Kobe, you know,
82:57 about Vanessa and Kobe, you know, Vanessa was telling Kobe why do you
82:58 Vanessa was telling Kobe why do you play? Don't play. like it's it's a
83:00 play? Don't play. like it's it's a normal protective advice from a dear
83:03 normal protective advice from a dear person in your life. same I got from all
83:06 person in your life. same I got from all of my people from my family members to
83:09 of my people from my family members to my team members and my I remember my
83:11 my team members and my I remember my physio that I'm with for the last 20
83:13 physio that I'm with for the last 20 years he told me yeah you know it's
83:14 years he told me yeah you know it's normally like four to six weeks and
83:16 normally like four to six weeks and stuff like this but you know we had some
83:19 stuff like this but you know we had some miraculous recoveries from some athletes
83:21 miraculous recoveries from some athletes blah blah and my my physio was sitting
83:24 blah blah and my my physio was sitting on the on the rooftop of our hotel and
83:27 on the on the rooftop of our hotel and all team was there and he said I know
83:29 all team was there and he said I know you do not even think for a second
83:31 you do not even think for a second you'll play Wimbledon like that's out of
83:33 you'll play Wimbledon like that's out of the question
83:34 the question >> wow And I didn't say anything. All the
83:37 >> wow And I didn't say anything. All the team members agreed. I didn't say
83:39 team members agreed. I didn't say anything. Actually, one thing I say, I
83:41 anything. Actually, one thing I say, I said, I understand what you're saying,
83:45 said, I understand what you're saying, but please, you know, for my own mental
83:48 but please, you know, for my own mental sanity, because it's Wimbledon, because
83:50 sanity, because it's Wimbledon, because it's my always been a dream tournament,
83:52 it's my always been a dream tournament, the most important tournament. Let's
83:54 the most important tournament. Let's just see how it goes in the next two
83:56 just see how it goes in the next two weeks because I have three weeks to the
83:59 weeks because I have three weeks to the tournament and I can pull out three,
84:00 tournament and I can pull out three, four, five days before the tournament.
84:02 four, five days before the tournament. So I have like two two and a half weeks
84:04 So I have like two two and a half weeks to play around. At that point I was with
84:05 to play around. At that point I was with crutches.
84:07 crutches. >> So long. So long story short, I've
84:09 >> So long. So long story short, I've dedicated so much time in a day to
84:12 dedicated so much time in a day to recover and it was like a task for me to
84:15 recover and it was like a task for me to prove even the closest people in in my
84:17 prove even the closest people in in my team and family wrong that I can recover
84:21 team and family wrong that I can recover and it was really a mission and I
84:23 and it was really a mission and I recovered and I played finals and I I
84:25 recovered and I played finals and I I lost last year finals in Wimbledon and
84:27 lost last year finals in Wimbledon and then I a week after that came to the
84:29 then I a week after that came to the Paris back again and played Olympics and
84:31 Paris back again and played Olympics and won the gold medal. So it was the best
84:33 won the gold medal. So it was the best period of my of my uh 2024 season is
84:37 period of my of my uh 2024 season is when I actually had a surgery a post
84:40 when I actually had a surgery a post surgery because something clicked in my
84:43 surgery because something clicked in my head where he triggered me my physio and
84:46 head where he triggered me my physio and said do not even think and for me what I
84:48 said do not even think and for me what I heard is okay thank you for giving me
84:52 heard is okay thank you for giving me the task because now I have a challenge
84:54 the task because now I have a challenge on my hands
84:55 on my hands >> all I needed is that
84:56 >> all I needed is that >> and actually that's what I need now I
84:59 >> and actually that's what I need now I feel like in this phase of my career
85:01 feel like in this phase of my career when I'm trying to motivate myself and
85:03 when I'm trying to motivate myself and keep going and stuff. I need a
85:04 keep going and stuff. I need a challenge. I think athletes in the
85:07 challenge. I think athletes in the highest level after so long they they
85:09 highest level after so long they they need to feel their challenge. They need
85:11 need to feel their challenge. They need to feel that they are playing a game
85:14 to feel that they are playing a game even though it's our job and every but
85:16 even though it's our job and every but we need to feel like we somebody is
85:18 we need to feel like we somebody is going to say something you want to prove
85:19 going to say something you want to prove them wrong. Michael Jordan in his last
85:21 them wrong. Michael Jordan in his last dance was talking about it. He's like,
85:24 dance was talking about it. He's like, even if I didn't have anybody in the
85:26 even if I didn't have anybody in the crowds talking crap to me, but I still
85:29 crowds talking crap to me, but I still picked someone and selected him as an
85:31 picked someone and selected him as an enemy and just because I needed to
85:34 enemy and just because I needed to create that enemy inside of my head to
85:36 create that enemy inside of my head to get me going. So, I actually relate to
85:38 get me going. So, I actually relate to that even though I don't necessarily
85:42 that even though I don't necessarily always look for enemies in my every
85:43 always look for enemies in my every match in the crowd, but I had quite an
85:46 match in the crowd, but I had quite an experience with tennis crowds over the
85:48 experience with tennis crowds over the years in my career. oftentimes when I
85:50 years in my career. oftentimes when I would play with Nadal and Feather most
85:52 would play with Nadal and Feather most of the times I would have most of the
85:53 of the times I would have most of the stadium against me. So I it would be
85:55 stadium against me. So I it would be challenging but that's also part of why
85:59 challenging but that's also part of why my mental toughness is as it is in a
86:02 my mental toughness is as it is in a kind of a hostile environments played
86:04 kind of a hostile environments played most of my matches and big matches and I
86:06 most of my matches and big matches and I kind of had to find a way to win a match
86:10 kind of had to find a way to win a match and to use that energy as my fuel and
86:12 and to use that energy as my fuel and not have it wear me down.
86:14 not have it wear me down. >> What does that take to do that? Because
86:16 >> What does that take to do that? Because it sounds like that scrutiny is worse
86:19 it sounds like that scrutiny is worse than an injury. What's worse? That kind
86:22 than an injury. What's worse? That kind of hostile environment, hostility or
86:24 of hostile environment, hostility or injury?
86:25 injury? >> Look, injury is the biggest enemy or an
86:27 >> Look, injury is the biggest enemy or an opponent of of an athlete. You can't do
86:29 opponent of of an athlete. You can't do your job. You can't play your sport if
86:33 your job. You can't play your sport if you're injured.
86:35 you're injured. Which proves the point of self-care even
86:38 Which proves the point of self-care even more of how important it is and how
86:41 more of how important it is and how significantly you have to address that
86:45 significantly you have to address that and approach that in your daily life as
86:47 and approach that in your daily life as an individual athlete particularly. But
86:50 an individual athlete particularly. But at the same time, hostile environment is
86:53 at the same time, hostile environment is is not ideal. I mean, you always want to
86:55 is not ideal. I mean, you always want to be playing where you're celebrated,
86:58 be playing where you're celebrated, cheered for, of course, you know, lifts
87:00 cheered for, of course, you know, lifts you up in a tough moments when you're
87:01 you up in a tough moments when you're down and just But I learned in the
87:04 down and just But I learned in the somehow in the hostile environment to
87:07 somehow in the hostile environment to thrive and I've seen that, you know,
87:09 thrive and I've seen that, you know, with like Kobe did it as well, right?
87:12 with like Kobe did it as well, right? LeBron, you know, other athletes as well
87:14 LeBron, you know, other athletes as well in in their respective sports talked
87:16 in in their respective sports talked about it and and football, they
87:18 about it and and football, they experience it a lot.
87:20 experience it a lot. >> People can relate to that. Like I think
87:21 >> People can relate to that. Like I think people always feel
87:22 people always feel >> Yeah. Even the average person constantly
87:24 >> Yeah. Even the average person constantly feels like their work's a hostile
87:26 feels like their work's a hostile environment or wherever. Like what
87:28 environment or wherever. Like what allowed you to use it as fuel
87:30 allowed you to use it as fuel consistently over that time to the point
87:33 consistently over that time to the point where people were cheering when you
87:35 where people were cheering when you finally win? Well, there are a few
87:36 finally win? Well, there are a few things. First, I mentioned that already
87:38 things. First, I mentioned that already is using that as a fuel to prove
87:42 is using that as a fuel to prove somebody wrong.
87:43 somebody wrong. >> Mhm. And that requires work mentally to
87:48 >> Mhm. And that requires work mentally to be able to transform or transmute that
87:51 be able to transform or transmute that energy or that cheering that is against
87:54 energy or that cheering that is against you to convince yourself it's for you.
87:58 you to convince yourself it's for you. >> So I was I was saying this years ago uh
88:01 >> So I was I was saying this years ago uh after I was playing I was playing
88:02 after I was playing I was playing feather in one of the Wimbledon finals
88:04 feather in one of the Wimbledon finals and
88:05 and >> they would cheer Roger Roger all the
88:07 >> they would cheer Roger Roger all the time basically. So I've was convincing
88:12 time basically. So I've was convincing myself and I managed to convince myself
88:13 myself and I managed to convince myself especially in the second part of the
88:14 especially in the second part of the match that they were cheering no no in
88:17 match that they were cheering no no in or Novak Novak. I I that's what I was
88:20 or Novak Novak. I I that's what I was hearing.
88:20 hearing. >> Wow.
88:21 >> Wow. >> And that's cool.
88:22 >> And that's cool. >> And then and then my mind was playing a
88:24 >> And then and then my mind was playing a games but I wasn't allowing it to play
88:26 games but I wasn't allowing it to play games with me that basically was like
88:28 games with me that basically was like what are you talking about? I mean
88:29 what are you talking about? I mean they're saying Roger and saying no but I
88:31 they're saying Roger and saying no but I was like no no no they're saying Novak
88:32 was like no no no they're saying Novak Novak Novak Novak. So I was using that
88:35 Novak Novak Novak. So I was using that as my own force and my own fuel. Well, I
88:36 as my own force and my own fuel. Well, I just got chill
88:37 just got chill >> and then but that's it is possible. It
88:39 >> and then but that's it is possible. It is possible but you you need to you need
88:42 is possible but you you need to you need to work on that and convincing yourself
88:45 to work on that and convincing yourself in something that is different from the
88:48 in something that is different from the reality that is actually happening or
88:50 reality that is actually happening or basically in another words creating your
88:52 basically in another words creating your own reality
88:54 own reality >> because in the end that's more
88:55 >> because in the end that's more philosophical question and spiritual
88:58 philosophical question and spiritual whether this is all one reality or it's
89:01 whether this is all one reality or it's a different we all experience different
89:03 a different we all experience different forms of reality of what's happening. So
89:05 forms of reality of what's happening. So creating your own reality and convincing
89:08 creating your own reality and convincing yourself and basically training your
89:10 yourself and basically training your subconscious mind that this is exactly
89:12 subconscious mind that this is exactly what you want to hear. It is possible
89:14 what you want to hear. It is possible but it takes an effort. Uh but but it
89:17 but it takes an effort. Uh but but it goes a long way because for everyday
89:19 goes a long way because for everyday person you know you can tap into that
89:22 person you know you can tap into that subconscious mind that basically
89:24 subconscious mind that basically controls 95% of your 100% daily life
89:28 controls 95% of your 100% daily life while you're awake. You know 5% is only
89:31 while you're awake. You know 5% is only I mean I was shocked and that's science.
89:33 I mean I was shocked and that's science. That's not me saying it's science that
89:35 That's not me saying it's science that is saying that 5% is only conscious
89:37 is saying that 5% is only conscious mind. 95 is I was shocked when I heard
89:40 mind. 95 is I was shocked when I heard that. It's like how in the world are we
89:43 that. It's like how in the world are we then able to live how we want to live
89:48 then able to live how we want to live where we are actually on autopilot most
89:52 where we are actually on autopilot most of the time. And that explains the
89:54 of the time. And that explains the multitasking. That explains why we can
89:56 multitasking. That explains why we can text and drive and drink and speak and
89:58 text and drive and drink and speak and do five things at the same time is
90:01 do five things at the same time is because of the subconscious. But
90:04 because of the subconscious. But subconscious is basically reacting to
90:06 subconscious is basically reacting to what you are instilling or uploading in
90:11 what you are instilling or uploading in that program.
90:11 that program. >> Mh. So I feel like when I was introduced
90:14 >> Mh. So I feel like when I was introduced to that uh subconscious mind science I
90:19 to that uh subconscious mind science I was you know I felt like I've change
90:22 was you know I felt like I've change myself and my own perspective on things
90:24 myself and my own perspective on things and how I approach life and performance
90:28 and how I approach life and performance and relationship and I could see that
90:31 and relationship and I could see that and I I still make mistakes and I still
90:33 and I I still make mistakes and I still do plenty of mistakes not on the tennis
90:35 do plenty of mistakes not on the tennis court or outside in relationship and
90:37 court or outside in relationship and everything. I'm more conscious and more
90:39 everything. I'm more conscious and more aware where it's coming from and why I
90:41 aware where it's coming from and why I did it. And then I'm going to keep on
90:44 did it. And then I'm going to keep on doing mistakes, but I'll try to reduce
90:45 doing mistakes, but I'll try to reduce those. And I feel like being in control
90:50 those. And I feel like being in control is something that we all want to be in.
90:52 is something that we all want to be in. Like we want to control our thoughts, we
90:54 Like we want to control our thoughts, we want to control our lives, our partners,
90:56 want to control our lives, our partners, and we want to but it's not possible and
90:59 and we want to but it's not possible and it shouldn't be the case. Like you can
91:01 it shouldn't be the case. Like you can only control what you can, which is your
91:03 only control what you can, which is your own process internally. And then how
91:05 own process internally. And then how that comes across what I speak to you
91:08 that comes across what I speak to you right now and what you think in your
91:10 right now and what you think in your mind and how you hear my words is I
91:12 mind and how you hear my words is I can't control that.
91:14 can't control that. >> You know I can only hope that I am
91:16 >> You know I can only hope that I am emitting the right kind of energy and
91:19 emitting the right kind of energy and vibe to you and that we are creating
91:21 vibe to you and that we are creating something nice. That's where I feel like
91:24 something nice. That's where I feel like we all get trapped a lot is like no I'm
91:27 we all get trapped a lot is like no I'm going to prove you the point of what I
91:29 going to prove you the point of what I was saying and I'm going to tell you why
91:30 was saying and I'm going to tell you why you are causing this in me and so forth.
91:33 you are causing this in me and so forth. putting always a blame to someone else.
91:35 putting always a blame to someone else. And I mean, I can feel that with tennis
91:38 And I mean, I can feel that with tennis is that I can instantly see the mistake
91:41 is that I can instantly see the mistake when I actually say it's my coach's
91:44 when I actually say it's my coach's fault or it's my physio's fault or my
91:46 fault or it's my physio's fault or my fitness coach's fault or it's whoever's
91:48 fitness coach's fault or it's whoever's fault for me losing a match or me
91:50 fault for me losing a match or me playing this way. So, I always remind
91:52 playing this way. So, I always remind myself, hey, take the responsibility in
91:54 myself, hey, take the responsibility in your hands. Take the means in your
91:56 your hands. Take the means in your hands. You are in control of your life.
92:00 hands. You are in control of your life. Maybe not fully because there's always
92:01 Maybe not fully because there's always this destiny or divine uh purpose of us
92:06 this destiny or divine uh purpose of us being here and the karma from past lives
92:09 being here and the karma from past lives and etc. That's another conversation.
92:11 and etc. That's another conversation. But what you can control, focus on that.
92:14 But what you can control, focus on that. The other things is just, you know, it's
92:16 The other things is just, you know, it's in God's hands and it's in the hands of
92:18 in God's hands and it's in the hands of other people and how that all interacts.
92:20 other people and how that all interacts. But I believe that when you're training
92:22 But I believe that when you're training yourself to think good thoughts and it
92:24 yourself to think good thoughts and it comes back to you. It's the
92:26 comes back to you. It's the >> the law of attraction and the law of
92:29 >> the law of attraction and the law of giving and taking and it comes back. You
92:31 giving and taking and it comes back. You know, you become what you think, right?
92:33 know, you become what you think, right? And so there's there's true power in
92:35 And so there's there's true power in that.
92:35 that. >> Novak, you've been so kind and generous
92:37 >> Novak, you've been so kind and generous with your time. I've got a few more
92:38 with your time. I've got a few more questions for you.
92:40 questions for you. >> You know, I think you've talked so much
92:41 >> You know, I think you've talked so much about health, self-care, discipline. I
92:44 about health, self-care, discipline. I know that you have your new supplement
92:46 know that you have your new supplement out that I can't wait to try as well,
92:48 out that I can't wait to try as well, your hydration. It's called CIA, which I
92:51 your hydration. It's called CIA, which I love the meaning of. If you can share
92:52 love the meaning of. If you can share what that means. But I love that you're
92:54 what that means. But I love that you're finding a way to productize your
92:57 finding a way to productize your mindset, like I actually am because I
92:59 mindset, like I actually am because I think people like myself who want to
93:02 think people like myself who want to know what is that 0.00001%
93:05 know what is that 0.00001% mindset and what are you discovering and
93:08 mindset and what are you discovering and taking and you were just sharing it with
93:10 taking and you were just sharing it with me earlier. I was just thinking I'm so
93:12 me earlier. I was just thinking I'm so excited about that to try it out for
93:13 excited about that to try it out for myself because I try and treat myself
93:16 myself because I try and treat myself like an athlete even if I'm not playing
93:18 like an athlete even if I'm not playing in the games you are because to me I'm
93:21 in the games you are because to me I'm trying to operate at that mindset that
93:23 trying to operate at that mindset that level physically, mentally, emotionally,
93:25 level physically, mentally, emotionally, spiritually and and I love that. So I
93:28 spiritually and and I love that. So I guess where did that come from? Was that
93:30 guess where did that come from? Was that this idea of you know as you're thinking
93:32 this idea of you know as you're thinking about tennis and thinking about beyond
93:34 about tennis and thinking about beyond tennis like where did that come from? I
93:36 tennis like where did that come from? I was always trying to think beyond tennis
93:38 was always trying to think beyond tennis you know particularly well
93:39 you know particularly well >> particularly in the last I would say 12
93:43 >> particularly in the last I would say 12 to 15 years of my my career my life I
93:46 to 15 years of my my career my life I mean I because I was hearing early on
93:49 mean I because I was hearing early on from some other not just tennis players
93:53 from some other not just tennis players established tennis players who were
93:54 established tennis players who were retired and and shared their experience
93:56 retired and and shared their experience of Paul's career with me but also other
94:00 of Paul's career with me but also other athletes and how you know the struggles
94:02 athletes and how you know the struggles they had mentally and particularly the
94:05 they had mentally and particularly the struggles that they had if they have not
94:07 struggles that they had if they have not prepared themselves for that transition.
94:10 prepared themselves for that transition. I believe that in some way you cannot
94:12 I believe that in some way you cannot fully prepare yourself for that
94:14 fully prepare yourself for that transition mentally like it's going to
94:16 transition mentally like it's going to be a sad day for me when I leave tennis
94:19 be a sad day for me when I leave tennis and it's going to be very emotional. I
94:21 and it's going to be very emotional. I know that. But what I'm talking about is
94:24 know that. But what I'm talking about is basically the adrenaline that also needs
94:27 basically the adrenaline that also needs to be filtered
94:30 to be filtered or re-chanled somewhere. And I know that
94:33 or re-chanled somewhere. And I know that I will play sports for the rest of my
94:36 I will play sports for the rest of my life cuz I love sports and being active
94:38 life cuz I love sports and being active is essential. But also I feel like you
94:41 is essential. But also I feel like you need a challenge. Tennis has consumed
94:44 need a challenge. Tennis has consumed most of my life and that's what I know
94:46 most of my life and that's what I know how to do best. But I have very broad
94:50 how to do best. But I have very broad interest in a lot of different things.
94:52 interest in a lot of different things. And the industry or the the sphere of of
94:56 And the industry or the the sphere of of life which is called health, wellness
94:59 life which is called health, wellness and well-being is my biggest passion and
95:02 and well-being is my biggest passion and it's very broad ecosystem or field if if
95:06 it's very broad ecosystem or field if if you want as you know because you're part
95:08 you want as you know because you're part of it. But it has been my passion for 15
95:12 of it. But it has been my passion for 15 plus years and you know uh always
95:16 plus years and you know uh always imagined the world where most of the
95:19 imagined the world where most of the people will take care of themselves of
95:21 people will take care of themselves of you know how they hydrate how they eat
95:23 you know how they hydrate how they eat exercise how they manage their sleep
95:26 exercise how they manage their sleep just a healthier world and of course
95:28 just a healthier world and of course it's it's hard to change everything at
95:31 it's it's hard to change everything at the same time and it of course takes a
95:33 the same time and it of course takes a lot of different time because it's the
95:35 lot of different time because it's the planet is big and there's a lot of
95:36 planet is big and there's a lot of people but I think taking small steps
95:39 people but I think taking small steps reps is very valuable and it has its
95:42 reps is very valuable and it has its effect. So hydration is something that
95:47 effect. So hydration is something that was always super important for me as a
95:49 was always super important for me as a professional athlete and I noticed that
95:52 professional athlete and I noticed that people who live everyday life but not
95:54 people who live everyday life but not only them but also athletes don't really
95:57 only them but also athletes don't really understand the importance of hydration
96:00 understand the importance of hydration and don't really understand maybe how to
96:05 and don't really understand maybe how to fully hydrate themselves on a cellular
96:07 fully hydrate themselves on a cellular level
96:08 level >> because when we talk about hydration
96:10 >> because when we talk about hydration obviously first thing that comes to your
96:11 obviously first thing that comes to your mind is drink water right we drink water
96:13 mind is drink water right we drink water we have to we wouldn't survive a day
96:14 we have to we wouldn't survive a day without water. So, that's normal. But
96:17 without water. So, that's normal. But then we also have all these other
96:21 then we also have all these other ingredients and vitamins and minerals
96:23 ingredients and vitamins and minerals and things that we're trying to take,
96:25 and things that we're trying to take, whether it's through supplementation,
96:27 whether it's through supplementation, whether it's through food. Obviously, if
96:29 whether it's through food. Obviously, if you can get everything through food,
96:31 you can get everything through food, it's the best.
96:32 it's the best. >> Brian Johnson, I saw the other dayund
96:34 >> Brian Johnson, I saw the other dayund and whatever tablets that he's taking. I
96:36 and whatever tablets that he's taking. I mean, it's I don't know how he does it.
96:38 mean, it's I don't know how he does it. I mean amazing but I I don't think I
96:40 I mean amazing but I I don't think I would be able to drink and I don't want
96:42 would be able to drink and I don't want to drink that many tablets. I do have
96:45 to drink that many tablets. I do have supplementation myself but I prefer
96:48 supplementation myself but I prefer trying to take everything through food
96:50 trying to take everything through food >> but it's difficult because our soil is
96:52 >> but it's difficult because our soil is depleted. uh the food that we are
96:54 depleted. uh the food that we are getting is most of the time comes from
96:56 getting is most of the time comes from the other remote side of the world
96:59 the other remote side of the world travels it lost its nutrients you know
97:02 travels it lost its nutrients you know and it's hard you know we have a
97:04 and it's hard you know we have a polluted air polluted water polluted
97:07 polluted air polluted water polluted soil all of these things you know play
97:09 soil all of these things you know play an important role in the inflammatory
97:11 an important role in the inflammatory processes in our body or how we ingest
97:16 processes in our body or how we ingest uh uh certain ingredients and uh
97:20 uh uh certain ingredients and uh substances that are necessary for
97:22 substances that are necessary for optimal health. So going back to the
97:26 optimal health. So going back to the hydration, I think hydration is probably
97:28 hydration, I think hydration is probably the easiest step towards that healthier
97:32 the easiest step towards that healthier diet or healthier life and it's
97:35 diet or healthier life and it's something that we cannot go without on a
97:37 something that we cannot go without on a daily basis and something that is easy
97:40 daily basis and something that is easy as breathing. That's something that
97:43 as breathing. That's something that everybody can do. Diet changes are
97:45 everybody can do. Diet changes are something that is more challenging I
97:47 something that is more challenging I think for people and there are hundreds
97:49 think for people and there are hundreds of different diets and I don't want to
97:51 of different diets and I don't want to get into it because everyone has their
97:52 get into it because everyone has their preference but I think hydration is
97:55 preference but I think hydration is probably something that we will all
97:56 probably something that we will all agree with. So since 2017 or 18 I've
98:01 agree with. So since 2017 or 18 I've been working on this project and I've
98:02 been working on this project and I've been thinking amazing you know and I
98:04 been thinking amazing you know and I didn't want to come out I could have
98:06 didn't want to come out I could have come out I've worked with few different
98:08 come out I've worked with few different people and I finally then agreed to come
98:12 people and I finally then agreed to come out on the market with uh it's basically
98:15 out on the market with uh it's basically a a wellness brand called sila and one
98:19 a a wellness brand called sila and one of the well the first product that we
98:21 of the well the first product that we come out with is hydration but we have
98:24 come out with is hydration but we have magnesium we are working on our sleep
98:26 magnesium we are working on our sleep formula neutropic formula gut formula.
98:29 formula neutropic formula gut formula. So, we're going to have a line of
98:30 So, we're going to have a line of different products and I'm doing that.
98:33 different products and I'm doing that. My partner in that is actually my best
98:35 My partner in that is actually my best friend uh Mark Stilitano who is also
98:38 friend uh Mark Stilitano who is also very very pass he used to play tennis uh
98:41 very very pass he used to play tennis uh and we know each other since we were
98:42 and we know each other since we were teenagers and very very uh passionate
98:46 teenagers and very very uh passionate guy about you know wellness and
98:48 guy about you know wellness and hydration and healthy lifestyle. So we I
98:52 hydration and healthy lifestyle. So we I found that we are very synergetic in our
98:54 found that we are very synergetic in our mission and vision and he had something
98:57 mission and vision and he had something similar in his life that he wanted to do
99:00 similar in his life that he wanted to do and he said let's join forces and do it
99:02 and he said let's join forces and do it together. So, we just recently started.
99:05 together. So, we just recently started. We're very quietly uh kind of as a soft
99:07 We're very quietly uh kind of as a soft launch because
99:08 launch because >> I I don't want this product uh or this
99:12 >> I I don't want this product uh or this brand to be just one of the many many
99:15 brand to be just one of the many many out there. And when I say that, I mean
99:19 out there. And when I say that, I mean that every ingredient that is in every
99:21 that every ingredient that is in every of the product needs to be 100% best
99:25 of the product needs to be 100% best quality that is out there. But, you
99:27 quality that is out there. But, you know, I'm very passionate about this
99:29 know, I'm very passionate about this because it's a kind of a continuation of
99:31 because it's a kind of a continuation of my passion, of my story, of my journey.
99:34 my passion, of my story, of my journey. It's it's what I love. It's what I drink
99:37 It's it's what I love. It's what I drink on a daily basis. My kids drink it, my
99:39 on a daily basis. My kids drink it, my wife, everybody. And so, I'm always
99:41 wife, everybody. And so, I'm always looking for new ways or best supplements
99:43 looking for new ways or best supplements or things that can improve my
99:45 or things that can improve my performance, that can improve my
99:46 performance, that can improve my performance, not just on the tennis
99:47 performance, not just on the tennis court, but also in life for me to have
99:50 court, but also in life for me to have more clarity, more energy, better sleep,
99:53 more clarity, more energy, better sleep, and stuff like this. So I decided to do
99:55 and stuff like this. So I decided to do something on my own because the
99:58 something on my own because the supplements out there that I was trying
100:00 supplements out there that I was trying there are some good ones but I was not
100:02 there are some good ones but I was not fully satisfied. So I try to kind of
100:04 fully satisfied. So I try to kind of take the means in my hands and control
100:06 take the means in my hands and control the process from A to Zed. It's it's the
100:09 the process from A to Zed. It's it's the way I am. It's how I do things and
100:11 way I am. It's how I do things and >> and so hopefully people will like it. I
100:13 >> and so hopefully people will like it. I don't know you know it's it's going to
100:14 don't know you know it's it's going to be interesting journey that we're
100:16 be interesting journey that we're embarking on. Uh and other than that I
100:19 embarking on. Uh and other than that I have another very interesting project.
100:21 have another very interesting project. It's called Regenesis Pod that I want to
100:22 It's called Regenesis Pod that I want to get you in that pod.
100:24 get you in that pod. >> It's been it's been also six years that
100:26 >> It's been it's been also six years that we're working on that and we're
100:27 we're working on that and we're launching later this year.
100:29 launching later this year. >> And that that pod is like a capsule, you
100:31 >> And that that pod is like a capsule, you know, like one of those sleeping
100:32 know, like one of those sleeping capsules that you have in a an airport.
100:35 capsules that you have in a an airport. >> Mhm. So about 12 13 years ago I was in
100:39 >> Mhm. So about 12 13 years ago I was in Dubai airport and I was in business
100:41 Dubai airport and I was in business class lounge and I was like look at me
100:43 class lounge and I was like look at me you know I'm so you know lucky to be
100:46 you know I'm so you know lucky to be here and to be able to have a bed or
100:48 here and to be able to have a bed or have this you know sleeping pod or
100:50 have this you know sleeping pod or something like that but you know 99% of
100:54 something like that but you know 99% of the people I mean they're on layovers
100:56 the people I mean they're on layovers they're in transit they're sleeping on
100:58 they're in transit they're sleeping on the floor and uncomfortable chairs and
101:00 the floor and uncomfortable chairs and stuff. So felt like how cool would it be
101:02 stuff. So felt like how cool would it be if you know on the airport we would have
101:04 if you know on the airport we would have these pods where people will go in and
101:07 these pods where people will go in and out not only to nap and sleep but to be
101:10 out not only to nap and sleep but to be go in and out in shortest amount of time
101:13 go in and out in shortest amount of time whether it's you know 8 10 15 20 minutes
101:17 whether it's you know 8 10 15 20 minutes and feel refreshed and feel re-energized
101:19 and feel refreshed and feel re-energized they can reset their system and recharge
101:23 they can reset their system and recharge the batteries and go on with their day
101:25 the batteries and go on with their day and by that time I was already traveling
101:28 and by that time I was already traveling with a additional suitcase of gadgets of
101:31 with a additional suitcase of gadgets of uh near infrared, far infrared, pulse
101:34 uh near infrared, far infrared, pulse electromagnetic frequency, different
101:36 electromagnetic frequency, different plates, boards, uh you name it. I mean,
101:40 plates, boards, uh you name it. I mean, essential oils, this that uh light
101:43 essential oils, this that uh light therapies, uh vibrational frequencies,
101:47 therapies, uh vibrational frequencies, uh sounds, everything, everything that
101:50 uh sounds, everything, everything that is out there in the market that I find
101:52 is out there in the market that I find amusing and interesting, I take it, I
101:55 amusing and interesting, I take it, I try it, I try to implement it. So, I'm
101:57 try it, I try to implement it. So, I'm still traveling with these gadgets. And
101:59 still traveling with these gadgets. And so I said, "Okay." So I I partnered up
102:01 so I said, "Okay." So I I partnered up with with my partner Tav Keen who is
102:03 with with my partner Tav Keen who is Australian and and lives in Bali. And so
102:05 Australian and and lives in Bali. And so we we connected and then he had also
102:07 we we connected and then he had also some similar thoughts. And then we're
102:08 some similar thoughts. And then we're like, "Okay, can we do this pod where I
102:11 like, "Okay, can we do this pod where I would have all these gadgets
102:13 would have all these gadgets incorporated in one multi-ensory
102:16 incorporated in one multi-ensory device."
102:16 device." >> Wow.
102:17 >> Wow. >> Where they don't interfere with each
102:18 >> Where they don't interfere with each other, but they complement each other.
102:20 other, but they complement each other. So where you go in, you're like in a
102:22 So where you go in, you're like in a Faraday cage. you're protected from
102:24 Faraday cage. you're protected from harmful radiation of the the towers, the
102:28 harmful radiation of the the towers, the Wi-Fi, the 5Gs, etc., and you are just
102:32 Wi-Fi, the 5Gs, etc., and you are just giving yourselves a rest and recharging
102:35 giving yourselves a rest and recharging and then, you know, being stimulated
102:37 and then, you know, being stimulated with all these things, would it be
102:38 with all these things, would it be possible? And so, four or five years of
102:40 possible? And so, four or five years of of R&D and we finally created it. So,
102:45 of R&D and we finally created it. So, it's quite an exclusive, I would say,
102:47 it's quite an exclusive, I would say, product because it's, you know, it's
102:49 product because it's, you know, it's very expensive. It's big. It's not like
102:52 very expensive. It's big. It's not like a hydration drink. But my dream is to
102:55 a hydration drink. But my dream is to have that in every airport. It started
102:57 have that in every airport. It started like that. But then of course the
102:59 like that. But then of course the corporate wellness is a big world as
103:01 corporate wellness is a big world as well. The corporations I mean people who
103:03 well. The corporations I mean people who work 9 to5 98 they're staying all day
103:07 work 9 to5 98 they're staying all day seated you know their posture all these
103:09 seated you know their posture all these things are affected. They don't have the
103:12 things are affected. They don't have the the the ability to uh ground their feet
103:15 the the ability to uh ground their feet and be in the nature and stuff. It's
103:17 and be in the nature and stuff. It's always this fast-paced modern lifestyle.
103:19 always this fast-paced modern lifestyle. On the go, on the go. Give me a quick
103:21 On the go, on the go. Give me a quick fix. I'm eating my lunch in the car on
103:24 fix. I'm eating my lunch in the car on the go. What? You know, so I understand,
103:27 the go. What? You know, so I understand, you know, I'm not not judging. I'm I
103:29 you know, I'm not not judging. I'm I understand we all we all part of that
103:31 understand we all we all part of that world. So that's why I kind of wanted to
103:33 world. So that's why I kind of wanted to create a in a way uh even even though I
103:36 create a in a way uh even even though I don't like that term, a healthy quick
103:38 don't like that term, a healthy quick fix to a modern fast-paced lifestyle.
103:41 fix to a modern fast-paced lifestyle. men or women that that live and don't
103:44 men or women that that live and don't have time, then come back home, they're
103:45 have time, then come back home, they're super tired, exhausted, and they have
103:47 super tired, exhausted, and they have kids, they have the spouse, they have
103:49 kids, they have the spouse, they have everything happening, and they're like,
103:50 everything happening, and they're like, "Oh my god, I'm sore. I'm this. I'm
103:53 "Oh my god, I'm sore. I'm this. I'm depleted. I'm not sleeping well, etc."
103:55 depleted. I'm not sleeping well, etc." So, it's it's quite complex, but this
103:58 So, it's it's quite complex, but this could be, and I hope it will. I mean,
104:00 could be, and I hope it will. I mean, again, I'm biased and we've been doing
104:02 again, I'm biased and we've been doing uh
104:03 uh >> I mean, hundreds or maybe even thousands
104:05 >> I mean, hundreds or maybe even thousands of people have done it, trials, and the
104:08 of people have done it, trials, and the results are incredible. We're doing a
104:10 results are incredible. We're doing a scientific um study now, a human study
104:13 scientific um study now, a human study in in uh one two universities in United
104:16 in in uh one two universities in United States with a pod and so can't wait to
104:19 States with a pod and so can't wait to to see the results of that and uh see
104:22 to see the results of that and uh see how it rolls out, you know. So I'm very
104:24 how it rolls out, you know. So I'm very passionate about it. These are some, you
104:25 passionate about it. These are some, you know, I have some few other projects
104:27 know, I have some few other projects that I'm very uh involved in and and but
104:31 that I'm very uh involved in and and but I like it because it's it's in my alley.
104:34 I like it because it's it's in my alley. Yeah. you know, it's in the area of life
104:36 Yeah. you know, it's in the area of life that I'm not only passionate about, but
104:38 that I'm not only passionate about, but that I I feel like I have experience in
104:41 that I I feel like I have experience in knowledge to some extent and of course I
104:45 knowledge to some extent and of course I surround myself with with people who are
104:47 surround myself with with people who are more qualified and knowledgeable about
104:48 more qualified and knowledgeable about than me in that space and then we
104:50 than me in that space and then we develop it together and I feel like like
104:52 develop it together and I feel like like you trying to make other people feel
104:56 you trying to make other people feel better. Yes. you know, whether it's
104:57 better. Yes. you know, whether it's mentally or physically,
104:59 mentally or physically, uh, through supplements, through this
105:01 uh, through supplements, through this pod, through this podcast, through
105:03 pod, through this podcast, through talking, through, you know, sharing the
105:05 talking, through, you know, sharing the journey, sharing the maybe some hacks
105:08 journey, sharing the maybe some hacks and techniques and stuff that they can
105:09 and techniques and stuff that they can do.
105:10 do. >> Yeah.
105:10 >> Yeah. >> You know, in the end of the day, that's
105:12 >> You know, in the end of the day, that's actually what drives it. I feel like it
105:14 actually what drives it. I feel like it drives you a lot, you know, because it
105:16 drives you a lot, you know, because it gives the purpose on purpose. It gives
105:18 gives the purpose on purpose. It gives you purpose in your life. It's not like
105:20 you purpose in your life. It's not like only about yourself and what you do and
105:22 only about yourself and what you do and the achievements and the fame and money
105:24 the achievements and the fame and money and everything. It's it's really about
105:27 and everything. It's it's really about how you make your mark in the world.
105:29 how you make your mark in the world. What's the legacy? What do you leave
105:30 What's the legacy? What do you leave behind? How do people, you know, benefit
105:33 behind? How do people, you know, benefit from you and what you say, what you do,
105:36 from you and what you say, what you do, what you create. So, that's a kind of a
105:38 what you create. So, that's a kind of a driving force. You know, one of the best
105:40 driving force. You know, one of the best psychologists that I work with and one
105:42 psychologists that I work with and one of the most impressive and intelligent
105:44 of the most impressive and intelligent people that I ever met in my life, his
105:47 people that I ever met in my life, his name is Dr. Jim Lair and he he was one
105:50 name is Dr. Jim Lair and he he was one of the founders of a human performance
105:52 of the founders of a human performance institute HPI in Florida and we worked
105:56 institute HPI in Florida and we worked for a few years and you know he has this
106:00 for a few years and you know he has this obviously one of the most important
106:02 obviously one of the most important questions is what would you like to have
106:05 questions is what would you like to have written on your tombstone and would you
106:08 written on your tombstone and would you like you know people to list your
106:11 like you know people to list your achievements or is it something else?
106:13 achievements or is it something else? How would you like people to remember
106:15 How would you like people to remember you? You know, but deeply think about
106:17 you? You know, but deeply think about that. And then we would go through a
106:19 that. And then we would go through a process of writing things down and
106:20 process of writing things down and really kind of deconstructing
106:23 really kind of deconstructing my personality, my life, what I'm living
106:25 my personality, my life, what I'm living in the given moment and what I how I see
106:27 in the given moment and what I how I see the future self and how I see the future
106:30 the future self and how I see the future of the world and and whether I feel like
106:33 of the world and and whether I feel like I strongly believe that I can make that
106:34 I strongly believe that I can make that impact. So I feel this is everything
106:37 impact. So I feel this is everything that I do is related to that source of
106:41 that I do is related to that source of the purpose and of the light that is in
106:44 the purpose and of the light that is in the center of everything because you
106:45 the center of everything because you know I I've also turned down many
106:48 know I I've also turned down many different companies in my life that
106:51 different companies in my life that wanted me to be an ambassador because I
106:53 wanted me to be an ambassador because I just feel it's very hard for me to
106:56 just feel it's very hard for me to represent and advocate something to
106:59 represent and advocate something to millions of people that I really don't
107:01 millions of people that I really don't believe in. wouldn't never drink that
107:03 believe in. wouldn't never drink that drink or eat that or or whatever it is.
107:06 drink or eat that or or whatever it is. I just if it's not aligned with my
107:08 I just if it's not aligned with my philosophy, my mindset, it's not going
107:11 philosophy, my mindset, it's not going to work. And and I've selected that
107:13 to work. And and I've selected that journey which is for my managers and my
107:16 journey which is for my managers and my agents, not the ideal one,
107:19 agents, not the ideal one, >> but at the same time, I'm calm in my
107:22 >> but at the same time, I'm calm in my heart, in my mind, because I know that
107:23 heart, in my mind, because I know that I'm doing something that is right. I
107:25 I'm doing something that is right. I love that and I'm so excited to try it
107:27 love that and I'm so excited to try it and I'm I'm grateful that you've said
107:30 and I'm I'm grateful that you've said that and that authenticity is there
107:32 that and that authenticity is there because I personally am someone who
107:35 because I personally am someone who wants to try new things and wants to
107:37 wants to try new things and wants to know what the best are using especially
107:39 know what the best are using especially when you're creating it yourself. You're
107:41 when you're creating it yourself. You're not putting your name to it. It's not
107:42 not putting your name to it. It's not something you know it's you're actually
107:44 something you know it's you're actually saying no this is what I use. This is
107:46 saying no this is what I use. This is what I'm doing. I think that's
107:48 what I'm doing. I think that's important.
107:49 important. >> So Novak we end every interview with the
107:51 >> So Novak we end every interview with the final five. These have to be answered in
107:53 final five. These have to be answered in one word to one sentence maximum.
107:56 one word to one sentence maximum. >> Okay.
107:56 >> Okay. >> Uh and then I may ask you to go over but
107:59 >> Uh and then I may ask you to go over but NovakJovich, these are your final five.
108:02 NovakJovich, these are your final five. >> The first is what is the best advice
108:04 >> The first is what is the best advice you've ever heard or received?
108:06 you've ever heard or received? >> Live the life in the present moment.
108:10 >> Live the life in the present moment. Learn from the past. Live in the present
108:14 Learn from the past. Live in the present and work for the future.
108:15 and work for the future. >> What is the worst advice you've ever
108:17 >> What is the worst advice you've ever heard or received?
108:19 heard or received? The worst advice.
108:22 The worst advice. If someone
108:24 If someone does good to you, do 10 times better to
108:28 does good to you, do 10 times better to them. But if someone does bad to you, do
108:31 them. But if someone does bad to you, do 10 times worse to them.
108:33 10 times worse to them. >> Oh, that second part is not good advice.
108:35 >> Oh, that second part is not good advice. Exactly.
108:35 Exactly. >> That first part's beautiful.
108:37 >> That first part's beautiful. >> Yeah. But the second it the first part
108:39 >> Yeah. But the second it the first part is connected to the second one. That's
108:41 is connected to the second one. That's why I said it. But second one I don't
108:43 why I said it. But second one I don't like.
108:44 like. >> Yeah. I think it's almost like if
108:46 >> Yeah. I think it's almost like if someone does good to you, do 10 times
108:47 someone does good to you, do 10 times better to them. And if someone does bad
108:49 better to them. And if someone does bad to you, do 10 times less to them. Like
108:51 to you, do 10 times less to them. Like just right,
108:52 just right, >> you know, that would be good advice.
108:54 >> you know, that would be good advice. That's a good answer. I've never heard
108:55 That's a good answer. I've never heard that. That's that's really really good.
108:57 that. That's that's really really good. Um, what's
108:59 Um, what's >> the power of having had such a beautiful
109:03 >> the power of having had such a beautiful relationship with your partner, your
109:04 relationship with your partner, your wife, Yena? I can't do an interview
109:06 wife, Yena? I can't do an interview without giving her credit and talking
109:07 without giving her credit and talking about her cuz I feel like a a good man
109:10 about her cuz I feel like a a good man needs a good woman. and such a big
109:13 needs a good woman. and such a big important part of all of our lives.
109:16 important part of all of our lives. Yeah.
109:16 Yeah. >> Yes. Yes. Thank you for asking me about
109:19 >> Yes. Yes. Thank you for asking me about my wife and you know we've been together
109:21 my wife and you know we've been together since my age 18. She was 19 so very long
109:25 since my age 18. She was 19 so very long time. We dated. We went through
109:27 time. We dated. We went through different stages and different phases
109:29 different stages and different phases and basically she's the only like very
109:31 and basically she's the only like very serious relationship that I've ever had
109:34 serious relationship that I've ever had and and uh yeah she's my rock. She's
109:37 and and uh yeah she's my rock. She's someone that has seen the worst and the
109:40 someone that has seen the worst and the best sides of me. She has seen my
109:43 best sides of me. She has seen my evolution. She has challenged me on
109:46 evolution. She has challenged me on every level. We have grown together and
109:49 every level. We have grown together and we have two beautiful children and we
109:51 we have two beautiful children and we still keep on growing and evolving and
109:53 still keep on growing and evolving and we have challenges as I guess every
109:56 we have challenges as I guess every couple has. But I think we have a an
109:59 couple has. But I think we have a an amazing base and foundation and we
110:03 amazing base and foundation and we always when we have challenging times in
110:05 always when we have challenging times in relationship we revert to that and we
110:08 relationship we revert to that and we address you know why we are together who
110:11 address you know why we are together who we are as people and how we've grown and
110:14 we are as people and how we've grown and and the future that we see is the future
110:16 and the future that we see is the future that we see together. And so we whatever
110:20 that we see together. And so we whatever we try to do we try to do it together.
110:22 we try to do we try to do it together. So all of the projects that I told you
110:24 So all of the projects that I told you about and everything, she's been
110:26 about and everything, she's been involved and it's very important for me
110:29 involved and it's very important for me to always hear her thoughts, her
110:32 to always hear her thoughts, her feedback, and because she's probably the
110:35 feedback, and because she's probably the only one in my life other than my my
110:38 only one in my life other than my my brothers uh or my
110:41 brothers uh or my one or two friends that is able to tell
110:44 one or two friends that is able to tell me things that I maybe don't want to
110:47 me things that I maybe don't want to hear
110:48 hear >> and really challenge my ideas, challenge
110:51 >> and really challenge my ideas, challenge my thoughts challenge my decisions and
110:54 my thoughts challenge my decisions and often times her instinct or intuition
110:57 often times her instinct or intuition was correct and mine wasn't. I have to
111:01 was correct and mine wasn't. I have to say that but uh no jokes aside she has
111:04 say that but uh no jokes aside she has been an incredible partner in this whole
111:07 been an incredible partner in this whole journey professionally, privately,
111:10 journey professionally, privately, emotionally, romantically as a parent as
111:14 emotionally, romantically as a parent as well. So I still play at this level
111:17 well. So I still play at this level because also of the support that she's
111:19 because also of the support that she's giving to our family back home.
111:22 giving to our family back home. >> And I remind myself of that a lot. You
111:25 >> And I remind myself of that a lot. You know, I've I've grown up with two
111:26 know, I've I've grown up with two younger brothers in a very small
111:28 younger brothers in a very small apartment with and I've seen what my
111:30 apartment with and I've seen what my mother, you know, did and what she does
111:33 mother, you know, did and what she does for a family and what women do to keep
111:37 for a family and what women do to keep families together and intact and bring
111:42 families together and intact and bring this incredibly powerful energy to our
111:46 this incredibly powerful energy to our life and to that gives us wings and that
111:49 life and to that gives us wings and that gives us a springboard for everything
111:51 gives us a springboard for everything that we're doing outside of home is just
111:54 that we're doing outside of home is just something that one will never comprehend
111:57 something that one will never comprehend unless one experiences that family life.
112:00 unless one experiences that family life. So we've been through all these
112:01 So we've been through all these different journeys together as you know
112:04 different journeys together as you know uh kids, teenagers and you know getting
112:07 uh kids, teenagers and you know getting more serious in relationship and her
112:10 more serious in relationship and her being my fiance and then getting married
112:13 being my fiance and then getting married and then having two kids. So yeah, it's
112:15 and then having two kids. So yeah, it's it's hard to express everything that I
112:17 it's hard to express everything that I that I feel as as kind of love and
112:20 that I feel as as kind of love and gratitude towards her and what she means
112:22 gratitude towards her and what she means to me in my life. Yeah, I feel like when
112:24 to me in my life. Yeah, I feel like when I've met her or interacted with her,
112:26 I've met her or interacted with her, she's always just operating such a high
112:28 she's always just operating such a high frequency and a high vibration. Like she
112:30 frequency and a high vibration. Like she has that natural energy and it's good
112:33 has that natural energy and it's good for I feel like that about my wife and I
112:35 for I feel like that about my wife and I feel like it's good
112:37 feel like it's good >> to have someone in your life who's that
112:38 >> to have someone in your life who's that close to you that can call you out and
112:40 close to you that can call you out and check on you and, you know, realign you.
112:43 check on you and, you know, realign you. I I know I value that deeply and my wife
112:45 I I know I value that deeply and my wife does the same for me. Question four is
112:47 does the same for me. Question four is two as well. Uh, what was your worst day
112:50 two as well. Uh, what was your worst day on court and what was your best day on
112:52 on court and what was your best day on court?
112:53 court? >> I would say winning a gold medal for my
112:56 >> I would say winning a gold medal for my country in Olympics in Paris 2024 would
113:00 country in Olympics in Paris 2024 would be the best moment, even better. And it
113:03 be the best moment, even better. And it surpasses me winning Wimbledon for the
113:06 surpasses me winning Wimbledon for the first time or winning Davis Cup with my
113:08 first time or winning Davis Cup with my country and stuff. And I have I've been
113:10 country and stuff. And I have I've been incredibly fortunate to experience some
113:12 incredibly fortunate to experience some of the I mean the greatest achievements
113:14 of the I mean the greatest achievements in our sport. that one just because I
113:17 in our sport. that one just because I was 37 at the time. I mean 37 years old
113:20 was 37 at the time. I mean 37 years old and maybe my last shot at the real shot
113:23 and maybe my last shot at the real shot at the gold medal and everything with
113:26 at the gold medal and everything with how it happened and how it unfolded is
113:29 how it happened and how it unfolded is just you know that's the moment and the
113:32 just you know that's the moment and the worst would be I I I would say actually
113:35 worst would be I I I would say actually also Olympics when I was when I lost the
113:39 also Olympics when I was when I lost the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016
113:44 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 I uh was
113:48 I uh was yeah struggling a a little bit with this
113:50 yeah struggling a a little bit with this injury of the wrist and didn't know if
113:51 injury of the wrist and didn't know if I'm going to play or not. Uh I played I
113:54 I'm going to play or not. Uh I played I lost to Delpotro dear friend and went on
113:57 lost to Delpotro dear friend and went on to win a silver medal for his country.
114:00 to win a silver medal for his country. Uh I lost in first round in a tight two
114:03 Uh I lost in first round in a tight two setter and two tie breaks and it was
114:06 setter and two tie breaks and it was super emotional because
114:08 super emotional because Olympics playing for my country being
114:11 Olympics playing for my country being supported by the whole stadium being in
114:13 supported by the whole stadium being in probably at the peak of my career
114:16 probably at the peak of my career overall being on a on a run and on the
114:19 overall being on a on a run and on the roll winning four slams. I held all four
114:24 roll winning four slams. I held all four slams at that point. I was just the most
114:28 slams at that point. I was just the most dominant I've ever was in my career.
114:30 dominant I've ever was in my career. Practicing several days, I was like, I
114:34 Practicing several days, I was like, I cannot miss a ball. Like, this is my
114:36 cannot miss a ball. Like, this is my time. This is there's no no chance
114:38 time. This is there's no no chance anybody beats me here. And then one day
114:42 anybody beats me here. And then one day or two days before the match, I start to
114:44 or two days before the match, I start to feel something in the wrist, start to
114:46 feel something in the wrist, start to doubt myself. I start to question
114:48 doubt myself. I start to question whether I should go out or not. I have a
114:51 whether I should go out or not. I have a very tough draw. I draw Delotro is very
114:54 very tough draw. I draw Delotro is very tough draw. first round and I lose close
114:57 tough draw. first round and I lose close match you know as I said he goes on to
115:00 match you know as I said he goes on to win silver medal but I that was the
115:02 win silver medal but I that was the moment where I just felt like my whole
115:04 moment where I just felt like my whole world collapsed
115:05 world collapsed >> yeah very very tough so it's interesting
115:08 >> yeah very very tough so it's interesting now that you ask me because I never
115:09 now that you ask me because I never thought about it but
115:11 thought about it but >> best moment and worst moment happened in
115:12 >> best moment and worst moment happened in Olympic games because Olympic games
115:16 Olympic games because Olympic games >> happen every four years they're so rare
115:18 >> happen every four years they're so rare >> and all the other tournaments you have a
115:20 >> and all the other tournaments you have a chance every year to win but here you
115:23 chance every year to win but here you know every four years. So, you got to be
115:26 know every four years. So, you got to be at at your top to be able to, you know,
115:30 at at your top to be able to, you know, get a medal.
115:31 get a medal. >> That's cool. That's good. Good memories.
115:33 >> That's cool. That's good. Good memories. And I'm glad you got the gold last year.
115:34 And I'm glad you got the gold last year. So, I
115:35 So, I >> appreciate it.
115:35 >> appreciate it. >> Uh, toughest opponent mentally and
115:38 >> Uh, toughest opponent mentally and toughest opponent physically.
115:40 toughest opponent physically. >> Toughest opponent mentally by far,
115:43 >> Toughest opponent mentally by far, myself.
115:44 myself. >> I like that's a good answer.
115:45 >> I like that's a good answer. >> By far. And the toughest opponent
115:49 >> By far. And the toughest opponent physically,
115:51 physically, Nadal. Yeah, for sure. I mean, the
115:54 Nadal. Yeah, for sure. I mean, the battles with him were just grueling. The
115:58 battles with him were just grueling. The longest Grand Slam finals in history in
116:02 longest Grand Slam finals in history in the finals of 2012 Australian Open. 5
116:05 the finals of 2012 Australian Open. 5 hours and 53 minutes I think it was. So
116:08 hours and 53 minutes I think it was. So almost 6 hours of grueling battle. I won
116:11 almost 6 hours of grueling battle. I won that match in the fifth set. 75 or 76.
116:14 that match in the fifth set. 75 or 76. It was just I remember the closing
116:17 It was just I remember the closing ceremony after that. We were standing
116:20 ceremony after that. We were standing and and listening to the sponsor's
116:22 and and listening to the sponsor's speeches and stuff and we at one point
116:25 speeches and stuff and we at one point we both simultaneously bent down and
116:30 we both simultaneously bent down and held our knees and I could see his legs
116:32 held our knees and I could see his legs are shaking, my legs are shaking and
116:35 are shaking, my legs are shaking and then I and then someone saw that and
116:38 then I and then someone saw that and brought us two chairs and brought us
116:39 brought us two chairs and brought us water and we had to sit down and sit for
116:41 water and we had to sit down and sit for the rest of the ceremony because we were
116:43 the rest of the ceremony because we were just I went into the locker room, took
116:46 just I went into the locker room, took out my shoes and I had blood on all over
116:50 out my shoes and I had blood on all over the socks on both both socks and I
116:52 the socks on both both socks and I didn't feel it obviously in this
116:54 didn't feel it obviously in this adrenaline rush on the court you just go
116:56 adrenaline rush on the court you just go through the pain you go through
116:57 through the pain you go through everything and then you like once you
117:00 everything and then you like once you cool off and your muscles are cold and
117:02 cool off and your muscles are cold and everything it's just like devastating
117:05 everything it's just like devastating feeling you can't walk but you know
117:08 feeling you can't walk but you know obviously more satisfying when you win
117:10 obviously more satisfying when you win such battle but I had incredible matches
117:13 such battle but I had incredible matches against Radal clay court matches I mean
117:16 against Radal clay court matches I mean clay is the the slowest surface and
117:18 clay is the the slowest surface and physically in our sport and playing him
117:20 physically in our sport and playing him on clay in Roland Garas is probably the
117:23 on clay in Roland Garas is probably the top challenge you can have in the
117:24 top challenge you can have in the history of our sport cuz he you know he
117:27 history of our sport cuz he you know he was getting to every ball and I was also
117:30 was getting to every ball and I was also very very good defender and always and
117:32 very very good defender and always and you know very physically fit. So we
117:34 you know very physically fit. So we would like push each other to the very
117:36 would like push each other to the very limit physically and mentally you know
117:39 limit physically and mentally you know it was at times almost like an outof
117:41 it was at times almost like an outof body experience for both of us where we
117:44 body experience for both of us where we would just everything would flow. We
117:45 would just everything would flow. We would play incredible points that would
117:47 would play incredible points that would last so long exchanges and you know when
117:50 last so long exchanges and you know when you finish a match then you realize oh
117:52 you finish a match then you realize oh my god it's almost like you were not
117:55 my god it's almost like you were not playing it. It was like something took
117:57 playing it. It was like something took over and just all your talent the skill
118:02 over and just all your talent the skill everything was on a scale or on the
118:05 everything was on a scale or on the platform that we created. It's like
118:07 platform that we created. It's like almost like a an artist when he goes
118:10 almost like a an artist when he goes into his on a canvas into his zone and
118:13 into his on a canvas into his zone and just starts drawing some beautiful.
118:16 just starts drawing some beautiful. That's how it felt,
118:17 That's how it felt, >> you know, many times when I played him.
118:20 >> you know, many times when I played him. >> And now when I talk about it and
118:22 >> And now when I talk about it and reflect, it gives me, you know, a great
118:24 reflect, it gives me, you know, a great sense of pride uh and satisfaction that
118:27 sense of pride uh and satisfaction that I've had the rivalry that I had with him
118:29 I've had the rivalry that I had with him and that, you know, I feel like not only
118:32 and that, you know, I feel like not only we we both made history of the sport,
118:34 we we both made history of the sport, but we both made each other better. And
118:36 but we both made each other better. And I feel like we brought so many
118:38 I feel like we brought so many incredible emotions to people who were
118:40 incredible emotions to people who were watching us play.
118:42 watching us play. >> Yeah, you can still watch those. I love
118:43 >> Yeah, you can still watch those. I love Tik Tok now because you got the
118:44 Tik Tok now because you got the highlights.
118:45 highlights. >> You can just watch those highlights for
118:47 >> You can just watch those highlights for ages like all the best points and people
118:50 ages like all the best points and people compile it and you just think, "Wow,
118:51 compile it and you just think, "Wow, it's it is
118:52 it's it is >> it's poetry in motion to just watch,
118:55 >> it's poetry in motion to just watch, >> you know, two two artists play
118:56 >> you know, two two artists play together."
118:57 together." >> Uh, fifth and final question. We asked
119:01 >> Uh, fifth and final question. We asked this to every guest who's ever been on
119:02 this to every guest who's ever been on the show. Not in the beginning, though.
119:04 the show. Not in the beginning, though. So these all these rituals came
119:06 So these all these rituals came afterwards. Uh if you could create one
119:08 afterwards. Uh if you could create one law that everyone in the world had to
119:10 law that everyone in the world had to follow, what would it be?
119:12 follow, what would it be? >> Hard to pick one thing, but I I would
119:15 >> Hard to pick one thing, but I I would probably create a law without punish
119:18 probably create a law without punish greatly someone who just
119:21 greatly someone who just destroys our planet, throws trash in the
119:24 destroys our planet, throws trash in the nature or in the water or,
119:27 nature or in the water or, you know, disrespects
119:29 you know, disrespects our mother nature and the planet we live
119:31 our mother nature and the planet we live on.
119:32 on. Maybe it would be a law where you would
119:35 Maybe it would be a law where you would have to say hello to every person that
119:38 have to say hello to every person that walks by.
119:39 walks by. >> Mhm.
119:40 >> Mhm. >> Just trying to be more kind, more
119:43 >> Just trying to be more kind, more gracious, a little bit more
119:45 gracious, a little bit more compassionate. We need a little bit more
119:47 compassionate. We need a little bit more empathy and compassion in this planet
119:50 empathy and compassion in this planet because when we when we are as people
119:52 because when we when we are as people closer to each other and we are less
119:56 closer to each other and we are less divided, I feel like then as a positive
119:59 divided, I feel like then as a positive consequence of that, we will take care
120:01 consequence of that, we will take care of the planet we're living on.
120:03 of the planet we're living on. >> Yeah. Well, Novak, as always, I'm
120:05 >> Yeah. Well, Novak, as always, I'm inspired to see what you do continue to
120:08 inspired to see what you do continue to do in tennis, what you'll do beyond
120:10 do in tennis, what you'll do beyond tennis, and last time we covered your
120:15 tennis, and last time we covered your story of how you became and who you were
120:17 story of how you became and who you were and where you started. And I feel like
120:19 and where you started. And I feel like today we've added another beautiful
120:21 today we've added another beautiful chapter onto that growth. And I'm so
120:24 chapter onto that growth. And I'm so grateful to you for showing up as you do
120:26 grateful to you for showing up as you do always, for living as intentionally as
120:29 always, for living as intentionally as you always do. I still remember we
120:31 you always do. I still remember we finished the last interview and even
120:32 finished the last interview and even today my team was saying it after the
120:34 today my team was saying it after the interview last time you spent an hour
120:36 interview last time you spent an hour talking to my team at that time and even
120:38 talking to my team at that time and even today when you were coming in every oh
120:40 today when you were coming in every oh my god he's so nice he's so kind it's
120:42 my god he's so nice he's so kind it's just it's amazing to see someone who's
120:45 just it's amazing to see someone who's truly truly truly uh the goat of their
120:48 truly truly truly uh the goat of their sport to be that humble grounded kind at
120:52 sport to be that humble grounded kind at all times with everyone uh it's truly
120:54 all times with everyone uh it's truly admirable
120:56 admirable >> nice and all the truly best people have
120:58 >> nice and all the truly best people have it So, you know, yeah, you're
121:00 it So, you know, yeah, you're >> Thank you, Jay, for having me and thank
121:02 >> Thank you, Jay, for having me and thank you for for spending, you know, two
121:04 you for for spending, you know, two hours with me and I, you know, we time
121:07 hours with me and I, you know, we time flew by. I mean, it's incredible and
121:08 flew by. I mean, it's incredible and it's I feel like the the connection and
121:12 it's I feel like the the connection and the energy was was amazing as it always
121:13 the energy was was amazing as it always is with you and I hope that for the next
121:16 is with you and I hope that for the next chapter, we won't need to wait another 5
121:18 chapter, we won't need to wait another 5 years.
121:19 years. >> I agree. Let's let's promise each We
121:21 >> I agree. Let's let's promise each We need to we need to we promise each other
121:23 need to we need to we promise each other we got to we got to meet uh more
121:25 we got to we got to meet uh more frequent because I think we are both uh
121:28 frequent because I think we are both uh >> you know expanding and evolving and
121:31 >> you know expanding and evolving and doing incredible things in our own
121:32 doing incredible things in our own fields and so many interesting things to
121:35 fields and so many interesting things to talk about and to share. So for sure I'
121:38 talk about and to share. So for sure I' I'd love to uh I'd love to be your guest
121:40 I'd love to uh I'd love to be your guest a little bit more frequently and not
121:42 a little bit more frequently and not wait for a long time. But thank you for
121:43 wait for a long time. But thank you for having me and
121:44 having me and >> thank you
121:44 >> thank you >> allowing me to share my story.
121:46 >> allowing me to share my story. >> Thank you man. Anyone who's been
121:48 >> Thank you man. Anyone who's been listening and watching, let me and Novak
121:49 listening and watching, let me and Novak know. Tag us on Instagram, on Tik Tok.
121:52 know. Tag us on Instagram, on Tik Tok. Let us know what's resonating with you,
121:54 Let us know what's resonating with you, what's connecting with you. If there was
121:55 what's connecting with you. If there was a a message, a game, a point, something
121:57 a a message, a game, a point, something that Novak shared with you that is going
122:00 that Novak shared with you that is going to stay with you for some time, let us
122:02 to stay with you for some time, let us know. I love seeing what has an impact
122:04 know. I love seeing what has an impact on you. That's the goal of these
122:06 on you. That's the goal of these conversations. I want to see what shifts
122:08 conversations. I want to see what shifts you make, the habits you change, and the
122:11 you make, the habits you change, and the new goals that you achieve because of
122:12 new goals that you achieve because of this conversation. A big thank you to
122:14 this conversation. A big thank you to Novak again, and we'll see you on the
122:16 Novak again, and we'll see you on the next one. If you love this episode, you
122:18 next one. If you love this episode, you will love my interview with Kobe Bryant
122:21 will love my interview with Kobe Bryant on how to be strategic and obsessive to
122:24 on how to be strategic and obsessive to find your purpose. Our children have
122:26 find your purpose. Our children have become less imaginative about how to
122:28 become less imaginative about how to problem solve and parents and coaches
122:30 problem solve and parents and coaches have become more directive and trying to
122:33 have become more directive and trying to tell them how to behave versus teaching
122:34 tell them how to behave versus teaching them how to behave.
