The Intensity, Structure and Recovery Habits that Shaped Djokovic’s Rise to No 1

Key Points

• Daily Routine
  Two full training sessions per day, morning and late afternoon (2 hours each).Each session followed by 90 minutes of fitness training.Six days per week of training; one day off reserved for rest or travel.Weekly schedule included drilling days, sparring matches, and match-specific prep.
• Training Breakdown
  Morning: On-court technical work (e.g., inside-out forehand, return of serve).Afternoon: Point construction, tactical play, and practice matches.Emphasis on competition-mode drills, simulating match conditions even in practice.
• Physical Development
  Focused on mobility, strength, endurance, and injury prevention.Daily strength and mobility work with fitness coach.Sliding and extreme flexibility came from years of stretching and mobility drills—enabled by physiotherapist from an early age.Training intensity increased significantly when transitioning from junior to pro.
• Adaptability & Mentality
  Novak treated every practice like a Grand Slam match.He trained with intensity and purpose, always looking to improve.Practiced with higher-level players (e.g., Serbian Davis Cup teammates) to raise his game.Constantly sought feedback and pushed those around him to meet his high standards.
• Nutrition & Recovery
  Nutrition was monitored early—simple but effective (e.g., honey every morning for immunity).As he progressed, Novak brought in specialists to tailor diet and recovery strategies.Always emphasized post-training stretching, proper warm-ups, and recovery routines.Used electrolytes, massage, and proper sleep to enhance recovery.
• Coaching Philosophy
  Success is built through step-by-step development—not shortcuts.Young players often copy pros without understanding the thousands of hours behind those movements.Djokovic’s durability and longevity are a result of disciplined habits formed from a young age.
• Key Takeaway
  What separates Novak is not just talent—it’s the intentional structure, intensity, and recovery baked into every training day from the time he was a teenager.