Hard work trumps talent - Novak’s training schedule at 17

Key Points

• Early Morning Training:
  Novak’s preparation for the 2005 Australian Open included 7:00 a.m. tennis sessions, requiring a wake-up before 6:00 a.m.
• Full-Day Structure:
  Daily routine included:2 hours of morning tennis1.5 hours of fitness trainingLunch and short break2 hours of afternoon tennisFollowed by a shorter fitness session
• Elite Athlete Discipline:
  This level of sacrifice, consistency, and structured recovery is required to become one of the world’s best players.
• Weekly Schedule:
  Tennis twice daily on Mon, Tue, Thu, FriSingle longer session on Wed and SatRest or recovery built into the week5 sessions followed by half-day rest, then another 5 and 1.5 days off
• Tournament Week Adjustments:
  Shorter, lower-intensity sessions (e.g. 2x1 hour), with focus on match play and tactical sharpness.
• Recovery Matters:
  Partial massage mid-week (Wednesdays)Full-body massage on SaturdaysRecovery is essential for longevity and performance
• Match Play Emphasis:
  More match play is added during tournament build-up—especially on Wednesdays, Saturdays, and one other day.
• Work Ethic Over Talent:
  Talent alone isn’t enough. Consistent, full-day training is what separates future champions from the rest.