CELEBRITY ATHLETE Reveals The MINDSET You Need To WIN IN LIFE | Novak Djokovic & Jay Shetty

I can show to the world that uh you. know, kid from. you know, war-torn country can actually. be the best in in a sport that is very. global. That's what happened but all of. these experiences have been there for. reason and I I I don't regret anything. I don't pity anything. I just feel like. that's something that I had to go. through. And I think it's so beautiful that you. are mentoring other Serbian talents and. tennis players because I think that's. what everyone needs. They need a a.

guiding hand. They need someone who's. been there. We need to share. That's for. Absolutely. Yeah, and I think so much of. the time we live in this scarcity. mindset. Even with the deals, people say. things like, "Oh, it's good for you. right now, but it might not be later. So, make the most of it." And And then. that intention is fueling people's true. True. you know, greedy mentality. Like, "Oh, you've got to do this.". is the time. You've got to use it. Otherwise, you know, I know. I know because I I I've I've. been and and still. trying to learn how to manage this. myself because I have also lots of.

opportunities and being number one of. the world and tennis is a global sport. and everything, but you know, I'm I'm. kind of going through the this this. kind of centering. process of understanding what I need to, you know, do in order to organize my. life better in order to focus on what is. the most important, you know, aspect of. my existence here, you know, the the the. inner peace, you know, the the spiritual.

growth, the understanding of of self, and and of course the family, the close. ones. But, you know, for the for for most of. my career it was all about tennis all. the time, you know. So, tennis tennis. tennis and then. my ego. plays with me so much. I mean, it plays. with all of us, you know. Absolutely. Yeah. But, you know, it's I I've been I've. been thinking firstly that ego is the. enemy, but actually now I'm I'm kind of. more leaning towards the theory that. that ego is. is it should be befriended, you know,

should be. you know, part of your. process of thinking, of feeling. and. and and in this way you're also. disarming your ego in a way, right? Rather than. kind of trying to reject it and then. you're. creating this and this is so much you. know, what we're actually going through. in the outside world as well, right? Yeah. And yeah. So, let me introduce you and then I'll.

explain why I did it cuz I think it will. make sense. Hey everyone, thank you so. much for coming back for this very very. special episode. I'm genuinely so. honored and grateful to introduce our. next guest. Not only is he the number. one tennis player in the world, he has. 14 Grand Slam titles including four. Wimbledons, but on top of all of that, he's extremely spiritual, an incredible. healer, transformer, and someone who's. doing so much great work in the world.

I've had the pleasure of getting to know. him over Instagram and WhatsApp and. today I get to sit down with him for the. first time, but he's definitely someone. who's attracted me here to Monaco. through his energy and through his. incredibly humble and graceful spirit. So, Novak it is an absolute pleasure. with you my friend and I and I feel your. energy over WhatsApp and Instagram. I. feel it in front of you right now and I. really believe that we've just been. pulled together.

So so good. I mean, thank you so much. for. for coming to to see me here. I'm I'm. really honored. and it's as you said. you know, social media was the platform. through which we established the the. first connection, but. I feel like. you know, watching you uh, and and what. you do and and sharing your message. I. felt connected you with you instantly. and your message deeply resonates with. me, with people that are close to me and.

it's it's a dream come true to be with. you here today. No, you're the sweetest. man and and I genuinely feel that when. you have a good and anyone who's. listening, I highly recommend this. If. you have a good online connection with. someone, take it offline as quick as you. can. Like turn it into face-to-face and. that's what I saw that we were. connecting so beautifully. I remember. one of the first things you said to me. was higher forces connecting us. Like. higher forces are between us getting. connected. And when you said that to me, I just felt I have to meet you. There's. no need to keep this relationship.

online. There's no need to just have it. here. If this is someone who truly. believes there's a deeper connection. here, let's let's get together. Let's. see each other. So I'm so grateful that. you opened up this opportunity for me to. visit you. Thank you very much and I'm. I'm really grateful that and and. genuinely. you know, honored that you you guys came. all the way from LA. You know, it's it's. a long trip and and I think we, you. know, we all share. a common kind of vision and and and. compassion for for, you know, for the.

world and we I think we all interact, you know, with the world in a very. similar ways even though we, you know, I'm an athlete uh, but I I don't like to. categorize or label myself as an. athlete, you know, as society likes. Mhm. Um, I think we we expand much more. than that. And uh, social media and and. internet is is great if you use it in. the right way. So I feel like it's it's. a great platform. It got us connected and we're here today.

and and not while ago I've sent you a. message on Instagram because I'm I'm. your fan. I follow, of course, I follow. your message and I follow your energy. and everything that you've been. uh, spreading and and sharing with. people. So, uh, I'm just happy to to to get deep and. talk about you know things that I. usually don't get asked on the tennis. tournaments. So it's it's really. exciting. Absolutely. Absolutely. And. that's what I love about you and that's. what I'm excited for everyone who's. listening and watching is that you are. an athlete, but what I was saying to you.

earlier is you are so much more and you. have so much more to give. You've worked. so hard on the court. But what I love. about you is that you're also an inner. athlete. Like you're doing this inner. work. And and you've really focused on. growing yourself, healing yourself, working on yourself. So let's dive into. all of that today. Make this the. interview where you Make this the. interview where you get to talk about. everything that's important to you and. and that's why this podcast actually. started. I was speaking at an event last. year. And Tom Brady was speaking before me.

And he was interviewed by a sports. journalist. And the conference was. actually about building meaningful. lives. So I was asked to speak about. that topic. Tom was speaking before. And. the interviewer asked him a question and. Tom started speaking about his family. He started talking about being a father. He started talking about all these. beautiful values and responsibilities. and and how he's growing now that his. sports career is is coming to a you know. a natural end etc. And the sports journalist just said to. him they said, "Tom, leave all this soft. stuff. Let's talk about the sports.".

And and I felt so bad for him because I. just felt like he was really trying to. open up his heart. And the sports journalist was almost. just squashing all of that and saying, "Let's just talk about your rings. Like. let's talk about the medals." And so I. wanted to build a platform where people. like yourself and people from music, media, movies, film, everyone can. actually come and talk about your deeper. sides and and your real heart. So I want. you to feel really comfortable to be. able to do that today. I am very much in. your definitely one of the very few.

people that uh. in my life and. that I've known you know. thus far and and of course. uh that I'm following that I can share. this message with and I and I I I truly. mean that because and and I I I don't. mean that in a bad way for the society. I'm not judging. I don't like the. judgment. I don't like the you know the. the word hatred or anything like that. I. you know I respect everyone and and we I. respect also this kind of moment in time. that we as people are you know and our.

society is where it is. with a reason and we just have to go. through that stage of development I. think and and evolution and it took me. time to really. I feel like come to that understanding. in a way because I was also. for many years um. through my character building process. and spiritual development and. kind of opening my minds to different.

dimensions and horizons of of you know. self-awareness and self-care. Um I I was just feeling um. a lot of times lonely, you know, and and. I just felt like the. what I was doing was not understood. especially in my world. And not just understood but it was not. accepted which was even worse because. then. you know, you're labeled as a kind of. like a a black sheep, you know, in the. herd. And and but I still wanted to play.

tennis and still stay in that in that in. that sport in that. you know field of life. Uh which I have and I'm not you know. regretting in contrary I'm so blessed to. do what I love. I've started playing. tennis when I was 4 years old. Um and my family did not have any tennis. tradition. So it was literally a a sign. of a destiny. Um three tennis courts in front of my. parents restaurant in a small mountain. place in Serbia called Kopaonik.

Um my father was a. Sorry but giving you a little background. of my family. Was a professional skier. He was a. skiing instructor. That's how he met my. mom on the skiing slope and. you know, it's a funny story. You know, she kind of like Tell us. Tell us. She. you know, she she she was skiing and. then she fell and then he was there and. he's like you need any help? I think I I. think I can help you and he probably. organized the whole thing, you know, but. but you know, that's how they met and.

you know, they they you know, 6 months. later they got they got married and I. was already my mom was pregnant with me. and. and then a year later they opened a. restaurant in the very mountain where. they met and that's the the restaurant. was the business that generated the the. you know, the budget for our family. So. we spent a lot of time there because we. lived 3 hours by car away in the capital. city of Serbia, Belgrade where. I I went to school and my two younger. brothers have two younger brothers. Their names are Marco and Georgia.

They're one is 4 years old younger than. me and the other one is 8 years younger. than me. And this is like we we talked. about you know, my children and and the. indigo children and that kind of like a. new wave of. you know, of energy and consciousness and. awareness that we're receiving from. above through children that already have. you know, what we don't have you know, and that's what I see in my brother, you. know, and and he's been born with this. capacity and ability to just. multitask and deal with things so. successfully and still be happy and it's.

it's quite amazing. So you know, going. back to to to my story is you know, I've. I've felt that in my world of tennis I. just when you are a professional athlete. you know, it's all about winning or. losing. Right? I I just I don't see. losing or failure as. as such. I I I see it as another great. lesson. Um that awaits for me to learn. from. Did you always have that even when.

you were young? No. I just as I said, I. I I went through my evolution and and uh. I was fortunate really that when I. started playing tennis, I uh ran into. and came across some really really um. knowledgeable people uh about tennis and. about life. In particular. um. one uh woman and her name is Jelena. Genčić. Uh she's not with us anymore. She passed away in 2012. She was my.

tennis mother. And so my parents uh. you know, invested a lot of energy and. efforts in in those times during '90s. when I was growing up uh uh we had uh. two wars. We had uh um unfortunately war. that broke down the whole Yugoslavian. region cuz it was big Yugoslavian. country, very strong. Uh made of you know, six different. states uh I mean, countries that are. right now independent. I'm coming from. one of them which is Serbia. And uh and then during '90s from like.

'91, '92 all the way till 2000, we had. embargo. Um so people waiting in line. for bread and milk and like absolutely. most, you know, necessary things and. uh then '99, we had in Serbia we had. bombings um. for 2 and 1/2 months every single day. and night. I was there. My family was. there every single day. We woke up every. night for 2 and 1/2 months because of. the alarm and because of the planes.

flying over us and it was it was. devastating. It was frightening. It was. uh. worst thing that that definitely we you. know, we ever experienced uh you know, seeing planes over your head and just. dropping bombs in all you know, hospitals and and everything. It was. just uh terrible terrible. Many innocent. people died. Thankfully I I I didn't lose personally. anyone that is very close to me. Uh but. I know people that lost you know, their. loved ones and uh that's a a scar that. stays with you forever. So, that this.

memory stays and will stay with me. forever, but. um. at the beginning, I. felt like probably most of the people in. my country, um I felt. I want revenge. You know, I felt like, "W- You know, who. are these guys. to bomb innocent people? What the hell. is going on?" I was 12 years old, and I. remember. uh I was there day and night, and I I. celebrated my 12th birthday during the.

day because we didn't go to schools, obviously. I was just hiding in shelters. and everything, and then we just after a. week or two hiding in shelters, we just. said, "Okay, we're just going to, you know, go about our life.". And that's it, you know, we don't we're. not going to care what happens. If, you know, if we're hit, we're hit, you know, what we can do. I mean, and so. I remember on my 12th birthday, uh kids. were singing. my friends at the tennis club because we. spent a lot of a lot of times playing.

tennis. So, we. we didn't go to school, so for us it was. great. And uh and then we we they were. singing the happy birthday song, and. then there was a plane flying, and I. have this image of my house plane. and just kind of dropping bombs. everywhere. And it was. it's terrible, but at the same time. the I I've I felt like as as I was kind. of. growing, you know, inside out as well, I felt, and I think my parents helped me a lot. with that, is that they, you know,

we can't judge the whole nation or. everyone for the actions of certain. individuals or certain groups or. institutions or whatever that decided to. bomb our country and just kill innocent. people. We can't, you know, judge. everyone for that, you know? And and that's that's when I kind of. like shifted and I just I write, you. know, this moment absolutely forgiven. everyone and everything that have done. that. But you cannot forget that. You.

know, you cannot forget that. It stays, as I said, as a scar. Uh but it has, on a brighter side, brought a lot of value to my life and a. lot of appreciation for the value. I. felt like this experience, I'm so. grateful for this experience. I truly am. because it has helped me to to shape me. into the person that I am today, the. player, tennis player that I am. It has. made me hungrier for the success in. tennis. Made me hungrier to work,

train, build myself so I can show to the. world that, uh you know, kid from, you. know, war-torn country can actually be. the best in in a sport that is very. global. And uh and and so that's that's. what happened that all of these. experiences have. definitely. uh. been there for a reason and I I I don't. regret anything. I don't pity anything. I just feel like, "Okay, you know, that's that's my karma. You know, that's. something that I had to go through and I.

had to live uh that and and and and if. we manage to get through that as not. just as a family, but as people, as a. nation, you know, there's there's not much that. can break you down. So, you know, historically, Ser- you know, Serbian. people and people in the region have. have had a lot of, you know, hard wars and hardships and and and. they've been through that. So, it's it's. really it was really nice to see the the. unity with people. And I remember one of.

the I was actually talking the other day. with with my brother and my wife about. still reflecting on that on that period. and what was the strongest image that. stayed with us from this bombings of 2. and 1/2 months in '99. And one of them. for me was, obviously, the one that I. explained to you with that with a. birthday and shelters, but there was one. where I remember. uh. thousands of people gathering on the. bridge, one of the most important. bridges in in our city.

Uh with um shirts. uh that that have targets. there and everyone painted their heads. with tar like like in a in a shape of a. target. and singing songs and you know kind of. just enjoying having fun. And in a way showing to the world and to. whoever is, you know, uh. uh you know, kind of kind of dropping. bombs that we are the target, so we are. protecting this bridge, we are. protecting this this city.

You know, if you want to crash it, you. have to go through us. And And it was. I think more than that it was just that. that that that power of unity, you know, that that energy and that strength that. they just showed, their resilience. And. that was beautiful, you know, in in. those moments of of hardship. That's. incredible, man. That's That's such a. I've I've heard you tell that story. before. like to react from your question. no no no no, and I'm glad. No, and I've I No no, I'm glad you did. because I've heard that story before. I'm glad that everyone who hasn't heard. that story before has an opportunity. now. And And the reason why it's so.

beautiful is because. you That's probably like most of the. planet does not experience that. That's. That's pretty extreme. Yes. Right? And so for someone like you. to come from that extreme and especially. what you said, your initial response was. revenge. For you to be able to transform. that revenge into resilience, that's incredible. Because it would have. been so much easier to just have that. pain and have that unforgiveness. And so. it's. a great story that that um. uh I've read. I'm sure it's quite.

popular on the social media, everyone is. sharing it. It was about the snake and. the and the saw. Okay. I don't know if you've came across it. And it's you know, the snake it's a kind. of true story, actually. The snake came. into the, you know, come into this. uh shop and. um. it w-. it w- as as it was kind of going and it. got caught by the saw and the saw kind. of cut it. And the snake didn't realize what was. happening, so it went to to bite to to.

Yeah, to bite the saw and it hurt itself. even more. So, the snake didn't know what was. happening, so it started going around. the the saw in order to, you know, suffocate it. thinking that saw is attacking it. So, it was, you know, protecting itself. and finally snake died. Um and and this kind of translates into. life and there's so many times that we. get angry or upset,

you know, with some people thinking that. we want to hurt them because we feel. hurt, but in finally we're hurting. ourselves. And and it was it was such a deep. message that I kind of like. resonated with really and I think that. kind of sums up my. evolution in a way. and and and uh my growth. uh mentally of how, you know, I should deal with these particular. circumstances and any events that have. been quite uh.

significant. uh in my life and. you know, the wars and and those times. of, you know, uh hardships were definitely one of the. most significant uh times of of my life. and my career where where I experienced. uh what it feels like to literally have. $10 in. at home in the apartment with with uh. you know, for my father and my mother. with three children. to feed and uh having to wait in the. line to get piece of bread for hours.

and uh and not being able to travel. around the world to play tennis uh and. tennis is an expensive sport. Absolutely. Um you know, you need money. to pay for the racket, for the tennis. balls, for the coach, for the court. So, all these things, you know, and and. they I think in the end of the day, as I. said, it brings it brings light and. value to my life because. you know, I think going through all of.

that has made me stronger but at the. same time made me more grateful. Because. I understand the both extremes, so to. say, because today I really uh I enjoy. so much of uh you know, success in this, you know, society and the sport and I. can afford many things and I'm really, really grateful for that and blessed. But I've been on the uh the opposite. side, so I think that that storyline is.

is really something that enriches me. Absolutely, man. And your your life. story is such a beautiful message to the. world. It's a great message to the. world, like it's it's it's incredible. and I'm glad that I see when from the. way I view it, you you live it like a message, too. It's not about you. That's that's what I. feel when I'm with you, that it's not. about you. It's not like I did this. It's it's actually a story and a message. to the world that, you know, any child, any person who is in such abject. conditions can actually transform their. lives. Absolutely. Thank thank you.

Thank you. And I I just feel like, you. know, the the message I can share from. my experience and I don't want. ever for people to feel that I'm. preaching or anything like that. I just. feel like my experience has helped me. to reach, you know, certain success, if. you want to call it, you know, in in both. professional and private uh way. is is that there is always time for. everything. And and, you know, I've I'm. learning myself even today how to be.

patient, how to. how to you know, coordinate certain. things in my life, how to create space. for the biggest. uh quality time that I can have with my. priorities, which are my family, which. is my growth. And it's And it's a constant juggle. And. then you can't You can't I I I truly. believe in balance, but I don't believe. that we can ever reach a stage and our. point where we can say, "I'm in.

balance." I agree. You you can be in. balance, but the next moment you're not. in balance because that's life and. everything is moving. And it's. happening. So, um so that's that's why I. feel like and then through tennis I I've. learned my, you know, biggest and. hardest lessons in life and I've. experienced those those emotions. And. for me, you know, tennis court is still. a field, you know, uh where. where I have a chance to grow, really. And I I When I'm not on the tennis.

court, I find it much easier to um. accomplish certain things that that I. want to on a daily basis. But then. tennis court I use as exactly that. platform that challenges me and. challenges my ego. So, I have still. have, for example, outbursts on the. court. I break a racket. I scream. I I I. curse. I know you don't curse at all and. I I admire that. Amazing that you took. took that. Wow. You got to teach me how. to do that. And uh and and And so, when.

that happens, instantly I feel like, "Oh. my god, why? What What did I do?" You. know? And I have two children. I have, you know, many children around the world are. watching and and and and you know, seeing what you're doing and imitating. you in a way. So, you're sending that. kind of message. So, I try always to. have that in the back of my mind and you. know, subconsciously like, "Okay, you know, try to do, you know, what you do best, but do it with dignity, do it with. style, do it, you know, with always. having you know, that kind of inner.

voice telling you you know, there's. you know, thousands, you know, of of. children around the world watching you. play right now and and absorbing like a. sponge every move, everything you say, everything you do. But, it's I still. do it. I still go through these. outbursts. And I I I I felt um. disappointed with myself for a while. Wow. Because of that. I really felt like I. was betraying myself. I was not managing.

to. uh to do what I intended to do. And uh. and and then I learned about surrender. And uh and then I learned about there is. a time for everything in life. And uh. there is um a reason why we have to take. every step of the way in order to reach. the top. of in whatever way you you you feel that. top is is for you. And uh and I and then. I understood that. you know, I have to accept.

I have to embrace, I have to channel it, and understand that you know, I still. have to work, and I have to work all the. way till the last day that I that I. breathe, and and and and I'm happy with. that. I I I really feel like I I managed. to. take that positive leap in that. direction. What's You You've touched on a few times. then I want to dive into it deeply. You. mentioned success, reaching the top. The. world sees your success, the world sees. your achievements.

But, in Novak Djokovic's eyes, in your. own eyes, what's been your greatest. success, your greatest achievement so. far? Hm. In your perspective. It's a good question. My greatest achievement is my open mind. I I feel. that with an open-mindedness. uh. type of you know, perspective and. approach to life, you help. all the natural processes.

in yourself. to. flourish and to excel. And you are. embracing the natural flow of life where. you have to evolve and you have to. develop and you have to learn. I just I If I have to define it that. kind of shortly, I I would say it's it's. just open mind because I feel the. ignorance and the closed mindness. and certain convictions that that people. have are so strong.

that you know, you you go through. throughout your whole lifetime without. really allowing, you know, yourself to. open up to the world. and learn about. all these different cultures and things. that can enrich your life and make you. feel more fulfilled and live a more. fulfilled life. Be more joyful, have that inner peace and emotional. balance and stability that we all strive.

to. And and I just feel with an open mind, you're just helping yourself and you're. able to receive. kind of filter and then, you know, give. at the same time because, you know, the. Taurus feel everything has to flow. So, that's how it flows, but if you don't. have an open mind, then. obviously, your. everything closes up. Whether it's. health, whether it's, you know, profession, whatever it is in your life, it just kind of feels and I was there. I.

I I was there. I don't want people to. think that I I I know it all or. whatever. I just feel, you know, also that I'm sharing the. experiences from my process because I. was there as I said. I I felt, you know, resentment. I felt, you know, feeling of. of revenge. I felt hatred. I did I felt. all of that. We all, you know, go. through that. We are human beings. We, you know, kind of. you know, experience those kind of. emotions, but. I feel. with training and repetition and. discipline, that's obviously sport has.

taught me so well, you can really reach. anything that you truly want and desire. in your life. And where did that. open-mindedness start? Like where did. you start to notice that the closed mind. was limiting you and the open mind was. expanding you? very early, to be honest, ever since I. kind of. wished to play tennis when I was 4 or 5. years old and tennis was never a sport.

in our family. I think it, you know, I. kind of helped also my parents to. expand, you know, outside of their, in a. way, comfort zone and go into the sport. or field of life that is completely. unknown to them, in a way. And I think that, you know, I. I I started playing tennis when I was 4. and 1/2, I think, 5 years old and before. that I was I was skiing a lot and I I. remember even before I started to run, I. was already with my dad, you know, skiing. He was carrying me and.

going down the slopes and and so, the. first sport for me was skiing. Right. And until I was, I think, 9 years old, I. didn't really know whether I want to ski. or or play tennis. I was football, the. soccer a little bit there, but it was. mostly about skiing or tennis. And and then fortunately, I mean, we've. been through all this and my father my. father asked me, I remember I remember. that that day when he sat me down with. my mom. and he said,

I am ready to support anything that you. desire to do. in your life. and I'm here for you. You have to tell me. if it's sport, okay, and what sport. And. and I said, okay, give me one minute. I. needed to. and. yeah, I mean and then. I was thinking and then I said like it. didn't take me a long time. I thought it. I said maybe just a little time to think.

but then after half an hour I went to. him and I said it's tennis. And he said, okay, tennis it is. And and. then I think us kind of getting into. this. uncomfortable, unknown. zone or area or field of life. has allowed us to kind of expand all of. us and and also. having certain mentors and people that. have greatly, positively affected me on.

many levels. I've mentioned my tennis mother as I. like to call her. I've met her when I was I think five, six years old and then I started. training with her tennis camp, summer. tennis camp that was coming from. Belgrade from capital city to Kopaonik, this place in the mountains. And then. when I was I think six, seven. I also started having some private. lessons with her in Belgrade while I. was, you know, going to school and she.

was happy to to. to play with me because she felt like I. was very talented. And then she told she told my parents, she said, I really feel like you should try to. give your best to support this child to. play tennis because I've never seen a. bigger talent from than him from Monica. Seles, who was, you know, obviously the. best tennis player in the world and one. of the best female tennis players of all. time. And she was her coach as well. And because Monica was born in Serbia.

and then she went to to live in States. where she is today. And. and of course my my parents were like, well, if if such a experienced and. knowledgeable person about the tennis. says that, then, you know, we should try. to. support our child. So, that's what. happened, and um. I remember I was watching, you know, tennis practices and sessions on the. fence. I was climbing. I was really. really in love with the sport. I was. very passionate about it. And she taught. me uh about holistic approach to life, I. think. Wow. Already back then, when I.

was 7 8. She really taught me how to, you know, think about. the grades in the school, the music that. I listen to, the mindfulness that I. have, the observation, the focus, the. kindness, the relationship with people. She was working in in a team with my. parents. And my parents, you know, I'm really grateful for my. parents, because they recognized the. role of a mentor very early So, they. they kind of teamed up with her, and.

then, you know, I was learning a lot. from from from my parents, obviously, and continued to learn, and from from my. tennis mother. So, that has helped me. to, I feel like, be open-minded and and and understand. But, I obviously went through my phases, and, you know, through through the. process of of learning and those dealing. with those emotions. Although, I felt when I started. traveling by myself, because I was. traveling with my my father until I was, I think, 16, and then uh 6 17, I started.

having my coach, and. and and I, you know, I didn't get get. too deep in the conversations with my. dad and with my mom, and I felt there. are some subjects and that, you know, I. want to talk about, and in especially. in, you know, puberty and teenage years, you know, you're you're experiencing so. many changes. And and and I was so much in tennis that. I didn't really have time for for other. maybe school activities that they they. my fellow.

friends and, you know, students were. going through uh cuz I was so much in. tennis uh and and then I I started. sharing so much with with my coach. I. think that I remember my dad was like, "Why don't you share that with me?" And. I was like, "Because I don't. I don't feel that I've I've First of. all, I've never shared that. that those particular subjects and types. of conversations with you and I don't I. don't feel we can. we we can resonate on that level. And.

and we tried, but we. it never worked out. So, but he was. understanding and that I had also have. to have, you know, people that that are. close to me and then influence me in. different levels. And and that's what I feel like it. helped me a lot to uh to develop. Well, and and one of the things I noticed. about you is also and I'd love to get. your thoughts on this. I feel like it's tough to get to the. top, but it seems to be even tougher to get. to the top, have a slump or have a. moment of challenge, and then try and.

get back. Because you've experienced. something. Mhm. And it's like I know. that you've even credited your wife with. her dedication to self-care. and your work and what she's trained you. or or shared with you in journaling. Tell us a bit bit about the process that. you've taken to be at the top, have. challenges, and then still come back. Because everyone's been quoting. obviously having the impossible comeback. and. Mhm. But but you made it possible. What. was happening mentally, spiritually for. you not just physically, but what was.

happening mentally and spiritually for. you? Well, first of all, to reflect on. the impossible word in in the word you. have I am possible, right? So, I I I. truly I don't believe in you know, something is impossible. I really. believe really everything is possible as. we talked about it earlier. Uh my wife. has. been um you know, my girlfriend for long. time ever since I was 18, she was 19. That's that's when we started dating and. uh uh she used to play tennis.

and that's how we met and we've known. each other 4 5 years before we started. dating. Um you know, through tennis and. um and then she went to study in Italy. um. in Milan and I came at more or less the. same time here in Monaco. um to to follow my my coach at the time. and I started using Monaco as a base and. uh she came over at Monaco Milan Milan. is close to Monaco so she came over and. that's how it all started and uh when. she finished studies, she was obviously.

you know, thinking. she had a lot of opportunities for her. own career but she sacrificed that in. order to live my career, live my dream. in order to save the relationship in a. way. So I'm very grateful for. for for her and what she has, you know, um. done for our relationship and for me and. I I learn I keep on continue to learn. from her so much. She introduced me to. yoga, actually. Wow. Back in uh back in the days when she was.

uh studying, um she is a. a huge reader. She likes to read any. everything and anything and she, you. know, likes to write as well. and she was being a big on journaling. all the time and I remember. when I was quite young from my tennis. mother and from my parents, I learned. how to. a kind of write and and have specific. things that I want to share on the. paper. I did it, you know, kind of like. what I'm grateful for and things like. that, which was nice but then I lost.

that. I I I didn't do it for many years. and then she remind me of that. So I I I. started doing it again. and and and it felt great because I felt. like I could release a lot of. things that were tensing me up through. journaling through writing, exactly. But also through yoga, you know, she. learned about it she because she was so. stressed during her, you know, studies. Um and she spent the whole day obviously. studying with books and, you know, student life isn't easy. So, she was.

looking into ways how she can relax. herself, get more energy. And, you know, she was she was not. drinking coffee or any of these things. So, she came into yoga and she was. sharing it with me. So, I started doing. it with her, you know, the whole the the. breathing, the pranayama, the. the, you know, the the sun salutations. and everything and and that's ever since. then we've been doing obviously some. form of yoga. You know, try on a daily. basis and and um. you know, she she's been a a very. uh.

very significant integral part of of my. life and my my evolution. And what I'm. really. grateful for is that not only that we, you know, truly love each other and we. are very transparent and honest, but. also that we have help from the universe. to actually. be in a very similar states of. consciousness in certain phases of our. lives so we can help each other. learn better and grow faster in in. certain areas with that we choose that.

are, you know, uh. you know, part of those particular. periods. So, so I think uh she would. agree that when we became parents. uh 4 years ago that has completely. shifted our world. you know, upside down. Up to that moment. we were. also spiritual, but, you know, still. quite basic comparing to what has. happened after that. And we truly. believe that uh our uh kids are our.

masters. and our teachers and then they come to. this life to. bring. um. bring lessons for us and bring help for. us to understand. a lot of things about ourselves on a. deeper levels and what we have to work. on. Which is is quite contrary to what, you. know, in a way Yeah. society thinks, which is like we we are teaching them, which we are, of course, but you know, actually, uh I've been I've been talking.

with her a lot about that. And and now. we we have a a baby girl that is 1 year. old and and she is I was mentioning. she's a healer. She really is and she. brings that kind of energy to this. world. And she has. Yeah, I mean, it's kind it rocketed our. attention for the moments, for, you. know, the consciousness, the awareness. about everything. I mean, even more. And. we're like, oh my god, wait, you know, there's another level, there's another. level. So, we, you know, we help each. other grow and I think we.

it's it's I'm really grateful that I can. share with her literally everything Mhm. and anything that I'm interested in, that I'm going through, and, you know, she. she has been always the shoulder to to. lean on and she has always been there. And tough moments for me in my career, when I was, you know, going through an. injury recently and had to take 6 months. break from the tennis and and then when. I came back I was like questioning. whether I should keep on playing on that. level or not and I was like just going.

through, you know, just going through hard work. inside and and and she, you know, she. was there and she helped me to overcome. all of that. Of course, with alongside. with help of uh some. life spiritual teachers that I have that. I can Yeah, tell us about that. yeah, a little bit. Um. well, there are two guys in particular, um Jose Pepe Imaz and and Žarko Ilić. Jose Pepe is from from Spain and Žarko. is from. from Serbia and they I consider them.

really as as my spiritual and life. teachers, my masters. that I've learned a lot from and back. in, I think, 2000 and uh. 10 or 11 I've met uh Zharko. Uh so about. 7 8 years ago and uh I met him through. my wife actually because my wife had a. friend that that knew him and and that's. how we got into it. He's a he's a Reiki. healer. Mhm. Uh but he's much more than. that and you know he he helped a lot.

both my wife and I to. uh again open our mind even more to. understand how we can have internal. conversations with ourselves cuz I I. didn't know how to do it. I didn't know. how to verbalize my emotions and that's. where my wife was. ahead of me and that's where we. struggled in our relationship because. she was trying to dig things out from me. and and make me share more but I wasn't. able to do that because I didn't know.

how. She's like, "Speak to me. What do. you feel?" I'm like, "I don't know. I feel something. I I. just don't and and and so I think Zharko. was. was very helpful in that. Mhm. And uh. and and. Sounds like everyone needs that. Everyone Yeah, I mean everyone needs. that of course but I think. you know, there's this great saying, you know, when the when the when the student is. ready the teacher will come, right? So I. I felt that. that the first initial step I needed to.

do I needed to decide. in my mind and internally that okay, this is exactly what I need for my. heart, for my soul, for my for my. growth. This is the the priority. I have. to learn how to manage myself, my. emotions, how to not just to be a better. tennis player but to be a better human. being. And um. and so so then the teacher appeared. obviously and and then after that. obviously I I I I start to expand my my.

awareness and and and you know, observation of the world and then I run. into Pepe who is very close person and. and also a spiritual life teacher to my. brother, Marco. And they live in the. same place. Actually, Marco, my brother, went to live in Spain because of Pepe. Wow. And Pepe's whole philosophy of life. is love and peace. Mhm. And. and. he brought that kind of energy into our.

lives, the percep- perception of love. and peace, what it really means. And at the beginning, I I was actually. uh. not really. supportive, I must say, of my brother, because he started doing that before me. He started going through this whole. process of learning with with Pepe. And uh he moved to Spain so he can be. closer to him because he felt, you know, deep inside of that something is very. important that he has to address. Uh and I just I didn't get it at that. time. I I thought, well, you know, you.

have to you know, cuz he was playing. professional tennis. I was like, you. can't really. you know, just love and peace, you know, you have to kind of like go back and. train and this have this mindset. If. you're love and peace on the court, the. other guy will beat you. And this is. what it comes down to, you know, in in. in in sports. And he was like, listen, I I He's like, I understand, but I Trust me, I have to. go through this, and I just feel that. this is my growth. I did I didn't. understand it at the time. And then I. But I was attracted to Pepe because I I. felt that his energy was amazing and you.

You can never get upset with him, you. know, you speak to him and he's he's. like you, you know, you You he always. smiles and everything, you know, even. when we had tough conversations, he. always smiles and sen- because he always. prays inside and sends you love. Yeah. And for that, he had to work and still. continues to work, I mean, immensely. Mhm. And I didn't understand what he. kept on emphasizing inner work, inner. growth, inner work, inner growth, universal love. I really. I didn't really get it, you know? And.

then. And then then obviously. this whole energy attracted my wife and. I and and we connected with Pepe and. with my brother and at different levels. and. And today, you know, obviously we. understand, you know, what what he truly. what he truly means because we embraced. that work. And we have to do it daily. And I just wanted to shortly reflect on. on that inner work Okay. for the purpose. or goal.

My goal for the inner work up to not. while ago was tennis. Wow. And that and and I. the the the feeling inside, you can call. it ego, whatever, has drawn me to that. sensation of I need to do this because. that will help me play better tennis. Mhm. But it didn't. resonate. Something I I was living a. successful life but not fulfilled Yes. life, if you know what I mean. Yeah, yeah. Uh. and and there was something wrong with.

that. I I just felt I I felt the ounces. of that truth and the essence and what. it really means to to to do that on. daily basis for yourself. and your growth as a human being and not. just as a tennis player or doctor or. whatever. But I. it wasn't it was weaker comparing to the. other side which was. since I was seven. I'm going I I dreamed of being number. one of the world. That's my ambition. That's my lifetime goal. I have to. fulfill it. When I fulfilled it in 2011.

I kept on going. I just I want to be. more Grand Slam I have more Grand Slam. trophies. I want to be number one for as. long as I can. It just kept going and I. believe that from my experience you need. goals and objectives, you know, and. it but you need to balance that with, you know, what is truly the most important work. which is the inner work. Yes. And and uh I didn't get it up to up.

to not while ago, to be honest. And and. that's when I I start to get it, and. that's when I start to understand the. message from Pepe. Yeah. He was whatever. you do, you do it with excitement, with joy, with passion. But at the same time, never forget about. what you have to do before, during, and. after that, which is a much much bigger. work and longer work. And. And now now now I do truly understand. that. Yeah. Give us give us an So, if. anyone who's listening and they're like,

"Novak, I'm like you. I don't get it. yet.". Yeah. You know, because so many people. today I feel like spirituality, energy, all of these words are flying around the. internet. People are talking about it, but there's so many people that don't. get it. Explain to us in your own way, in the way you see it, what is inner. work, and what inner work you do, what. you were saying that before, that. during, that after, that has helped you. not just in tennis, but in your life. talked so. and reflected so wonderfully on this in. so many of your videos about the habits, about addictions that we have. The whole.

day passes by, and we are not we don't. even remember a single moment in the. day, because we've just been distracted. the whole time. Mhm. So, you know, if we. are learned and trained to be. distracted, that's how. you know, our life is going to unfold. Mhm. We are going to be distracted. But. if we train ourselves to be present. and more aware, then obviously, we're. shifting the attention of the. subconscious and all the internal, external energies, and nature, and.

everything into that. You know, in a. simplified way, work on the habits. Right? I I mean, I have, you know, still. some habits that need working on. You. know, and and uh you know, it it you. know, for example, the phone, right? That that is so addictive, and you get. into Instagram, that I by the way love. I love Instagram. It's great, fantastic. Uh it's how we connected. we connected. Yeah, it's true. But. but if you let it become your master, Mhm. then.

that's how it's going to be. And you're. going to be distracted. You're going to. feel lack of energy. You're going to. have feel lack of inner peace. You're. going to feel. upset. Uh, you know, you're going to. have a short breath. You know, all these. different things. And that reflects on. relationships. That reflects on, you. know, your performance at your work or. whatever you're doing. And And for me, I I try to Okay, try to think inside, okay, what am I. doing right on the tennis court?

How can I translate that in the off the. tennis court? Interesting. And the on tennis court, what I'm doing right is. complete 100% focus and presence of mind. and body and everything. Discipline, working towards objective, organ-. organized, preparing myself. This is a big thing. I. feel, you know, if you fail to prepare, you prepare yourself to fail, right? So, preparation is a huge thing. I mean, at.

least in in in my world for tennis, it. has helped me a lot cuz. I I I don't want to put a number on it, but let's say 80% to 90% of your the. match that you won, for example, or any. success that you have. you step on the court. Exactly. Yeah. Exactly. How you do your. homework. Uh, for, you know, in in in my instance, you know, um, obviously working on all. my. strengths and weaknesses, uh, preparing myself physically,

mentally, emotionally, spiritually. for the match that is coming up. I have the whole, uh, short-term and. long-term plan. How can I get from from. here to there in a shortest time? Those type of things. and then. you know, obviously doing your homework. on the guy, on the opponent that you're. playing against, where you're going to. play, the stadium, the crowd, the. weather, you know, it's the. it's really. whole.

homework that you have to do in order. before you get in and and then you win a. tennis match. and then it's not only about the tennis. match, it's 80 90% of the work that you. do be prior to that. So, that's why I. believe, you know, preparation is a big. big thing. Working on the habits. you know, that the science says that you. need 20 what? Two or three days that you. you can, you know, shift uh you know, from bad habit to a healthy habit. So, we need persistency. We need discipline. You know, we need we need repetition.

And Bruce Lipton that I also like to. listen to a lot, he he he's talking. about subconscious, right? And how. subconscious is controlling probably 90. 95% of our everyday life. So, if we can feed our subconscious with. the information that is going to allow. us to excel and to live life that we. want to, then that's what's going to. happen because your subconscious doesn't. know what's good for you or bad for you, it just knows what you tell it. Yes. And. and the the seeds that you plant.

So, so he was talking about, you know, uh there are two ways to kind of hack. your subconscious, which is hypnosis, which happens from, you know, until you. know, you're 7 years old. and and then repetition. Mhm. So, that's. why, I mean, my wife and I are very. passionate for uh the the preschool. education and early childhood. development. Until you're 6 or 7 years. old, that's when the it's most vast.

brain growth and that's where. you know, the the fundamentals and the. foundation of your life is set. And and that's where, you know, Bruce. was talking about it really beautifully. and and it. it made sense. And and then the the after your seven, it's repetition. It's discipline. Okay, um. I'm switching off all my phones. um after certain hour. I'm, you know, doing my praying work uh because I.

believe in the invisible world. Science. proves, quantum science talks about it. Where the most distance points are. actually one in in in in a split second. and and we we all have proven that. And so. you just need to really believe it in. order to achieve it. You know, where. your attention, you know, the where your. attention goes, the energy flows. And and I I I think it all starts with. an open mind and you have to I think.

with a question. It's always so great to. ask yourself questions. Who am I? Why I'm here? What I want to do? What I. want to become? What I you know, just. all these questions put on the paper, write it down, go through it you know, in your mind through that. Whatever your. method is, but you just have to. address it. If you don't address it, you're going to go about the same things. that you went about and then you're. going to get the same outcome that you. don't desire. So I I feel like that kind. of. um awareness about that uh just helps,

you know, helps learn. And you know, I'm. learning from you so much on a daily. basis as well because, you know, I. obviously follow your work and and there. are so many great messages out there and. I feel like. this is the time where we can expand our. consciousness and get closer to what who. we are. Cuz you know, the the the two. most important and all these probably. questions in on this planet ever since. the existence of humans is. you know, who we are and why we are. here. Absolutely. So I think also the.

truth seeking. um element and part is also quite. important in that. I mean, I I consider. myself a truth-seeker. I I like to, you. know, try to dig even deeper and deeper. and deeper and understand who we are, you know, why are we here? Is this a. planet? Is this a realm? What is it? You. know, is this a matrix? Is it not? You. know, I I I think it's it's important to. ask ask these questions and and get and. do your research and dig deep into that. because other you know, I I I think it.

all comes down to. you know, whether you are your own. master. or or not. Mhm. So, I think if you are. your own master, then it allows you to. take actions the way you want them. rather than, you know, I I I love the. Jim Kwik. that I also like very much and he he. talks about. the thermostat and thermometer. So, the. the don't be the thermostat, but be the. thermometer. Set your the temperature. set you you set this temperature of the.

room and you set it up the way you. wanted it. And the thermostat, if you. set it, then you have to adjust. So, it's. reactive. And I think it's such a such a great. wisdom. Yeah, great advice, man. I loved. what you were saying earlier. That's. that's great advice and I hope everyone. who's listening is is taking notes. But. that what you said earlier I loved. You. said that for a long time you believed. ego is the enemy. Yes. And then now. you've started to understand that. actually the ego has to be befriended. And I feel as a I I couldn't agree with. you more. I couldn't agree with you.

more. Sometimes I believe the ego is. like a perfect mirror to yourself and. the self that you don't want, but at. least it starts teaching you. The ego. can teach you so much if you're aware of. it. So, I want to hear your perception. on how you've been switching between ego. is the enemy to actually befriending the. ego. Well, this is this is. got every reason to have a big ego. Like. you've got every reason and you're not. you're a very humble person, but you've. got every reason to have a big. have it and I do have it and this is the. this is the point. I didn't understand. it at the time and we talked about it a. little bit and as you reflected, I do.

have a big ego, but I have to. embrace it and and and and how learn how. to befriend it and deal with it in in a. ways that that I'm to work going to work. and team up with my ego rather than I'm. going to be an enemy of my ego because. then again I'm reacting. Then ego can. you know, persuade you and do different. things and and mask. you know, certain things. It's so smart. and witty.

And then you have to react and then you. have to just kind of like try to try to. handle and juggle with so many things. instead of hey, let's team up. You're. inside of me. I'm you, you're me. Okay, let's figure this out. How can we. work together? And you kind of have to, you know, please it and at the same time you have. to control it. And even though I don't really like the. world word control, I still feel like, you know, if if you if you create your controlled.

environment, it's going to be better off. for you in your life. Yeah. I've got So. what I what I finish off with every. interview is called my final five. So. the five the fast five. So these are. fast five questions they have to answer. So the the first question I was going to. answer is what's the first thing that. you do every morning? First thing that I. do every morning is prayer. Beautiful. Second question, what do you. pray for? First I express my gratitude. um for for my body, for myself,

for the opportunity to continue my. evolution as a multi-dimensional. being. in this realm. I I'm grateful for my. family. I'm grateful for. being able to have my senses. and to have big bed. and to have a most beautiful sunrise. every morning. Amazing. Third, how do. you make sure that your energy is where. you want it to be spiritually, internally. Um. continuing to work on.

um. the things that we we talked about. Um so, aside of the physical work and. tennis, uh and and duties as as a father and a. husband, I need to get in daily something in my. self-care work, whether it's only a a. meditation or it's a 2-minute breathing, uh prayer, whatever it is. Sometimes. it's only that cuz you don't have time, but. you know, it's important to just kind of.

uh you know, keep keep doing it and be. disciplined with it. What's the best. advice you've ever received? Be open-minded. I love that theme. That's the theme of. this this yeah. Just like theme for sure. It it's when. you're open-minded, then you're ready to. receive everything that we're surrounded. with and in such a beautiful world and. we're so blessed. uh that we live in this world and that.

we go through the process of evolution. And I think when you come close to the. realization of, you know, who you are, I. think and you continue to seek for that. truth, I just it brings you closer to. the source from where you arrived Yeah. and just makes you makes you so present. and makes you so calm and it makes you. so joyful and grateful for yourself, for. people around you, for everything that. you have, that you do, that surrounds you, that. fulfills you.

I feel that that's the essence of of our. life. Amazing. And the fifth question, fifth and final question is, if your. racket was a magic wand and you could. get the whole world to understand one. thing, what would you want everyone to. understand? That. our consciousness expands. infinitely. Beautiful. Straight to the point. What. do you mean by that? What do you want. them to understand from you? Now now I'm. going to give you the opportunity to.

gosh, we don't have enough time. Um that that our consciousness expands. infinitely means well at least in my own. perception is that. we are more than we. think or feel with our five senses than. we really are. And. when you I feel like when I came to this. realization, it just opened a door to a. whole different universe and dimension. to me. And I feel that my evolution and. my growth.

um in every aspect of who I am and my. everybody. has just quadrupled. uh for light years ahead. I just feel I. feel calm at the same time, but so. excited for everything that I that life. has to offer that I can learn. Thank. you, Nima. But we so have to do a part. two. Please Please please please make it. happen. Yeah. But thank you so much, man. I'm so grateful. Thank you for your. time and energy. I know you got so many. things on. I love you guys. You got an. amazing wife. I love you guys.

so much, man. I'm. so grateful. If you want even more. videos just like this one, click on the. boxes over here. And if you want to. continue seeing these kinds of stories, you can subscribe by clicking the link. right here.