The Weight of the Necklace

Despite being on the verge of victory, Novak Djokovic suffered a defeat in the third round of Roland Garros. The match was a fierce battle, but ultimately he fell short. However, beyond the scoreboard, Djokovic has recently opened up about a personal ritual that has become indispensable in his life over the years. It is not a warm-up routine or a specific racket choice, but something he wears close to his heart at all times.

Djokovic has two necklaces that he never takes off, each carrying immense symbolic weight. The first is a simple cross, representing his deep religious faith. For the Serbian tennis star, faith is a cornerstone, providing a anchor during life's most turbulent moments. He has admitted that in times of struggle, he leans heavily on his spiritual beliefs, and the cross serves as a constant, tangible connection to that strength.

The second necklace holds a more intimate, personal significance. It is a locket shaped like a planet or a tennis ball, designed to open. Inside, it houses tiny photographs of his closest loved ones: his wife Jelena, their son Stefan, their daughter Tara, and even their pets. It is a portable piece of home.

"In that necklace are pictures of my family. When I travel, when I am far from home, it reminds me that they are always with me," Djokovic explained.

He revealed that before matches, or during moments when he needs an extra boost of energy, he often opens the locket and kisses the photos. It is a small, private ritual that brings him calm and sharpens his focus. "It is a reminder of who I am, where I come from, and why I do all this," he added, highlighting the emotional grounding these items provide.

Discipline Beyond the Court

Djokovic’s life is defined by extreme discipline, extending far beyond his training regimen to his daily diet. He has frequently addressed misconceptions about his eating habits, preferring precision over labels. While he has followed a plant-based diet for several years, he resists being labeled a vegetarian due to the potential for misunderstanding and misuse of the term.

"To be honest, I don't like that labeling. Yes, I eat plant-based food, I have for several years, but because of possible misinterpretation and misuse, I don't like calling myself a vegetarian," he stated previously.

He believes that a plant-based lifestyle offers superior benefits for bodily balance, environmental sustainability, and animal welfare. This philosophy extends to his on-court nutrition during matches. Djokovic is notoriously specific about what he consumes between sets, often expressing frustration when his requests are ignored.

"Bananas, dates, and water... I really don't understand, every match is the same, we agree on it, and they still don't get it. They bring me an apple. What kind of apple, man. Then I find a pear, no dates. Then they bring me some mints, oh my god, everything..." Djokovic joked with reporters, illustrating his rigid adherence to what he believes fuels his performance best.