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Djokovic interview in WSJ. Magazine

February 25, 2015

Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic will be featured on the cover of WSJ Magazine. Inside the March Men’s Style issue, the world’s No. 1 player talks about his new role as a father; his reaction to losing a match; and the myriad of factors that have contributed to his record-breaking success.

The issue hits newsstands on Saturday, March 7.

The best way to react when losing a match: “When the last point is done, we are humans. Give your opponent a hug and say, ‘Great fight,’ and that’s all.”

How he wants to be remembered: “For me it’s more important for [people] to remember me as a human being, as somebody that has carried himself in the right way in every aspect of his tennis career. There’s more to it than just winning a trophy.”

His infant son Stefan’s reaction to seeing Novak on FaceTime: “He reacted and smiled at my voice, which was phenomenal. Not even three months! Advanced boy—we’re trying to make him as intellectual as possible.”

The perception that his wildly successful 2011 season could be credited to a new gluten-free diet: “It wasn’t the big secret of my success. I have a very holistic approach: my diet, my well-being, the exercises, the mind-set, the thinking, the people I surround myself with, where I live, what I do. All these things combined to get me to where I am.”

Family being his number one priority: “Up to a few years ago, tennis was more or less everything that I wanted to focus on. I still have the same approach to tennis, the same motivation to win Grand Slams, to still stay No. 1 of the world, but with a different philosophy. Just a different way of understanding things in life.”

Feeling grateful for his career and what’s to come: “I’m very blessed to be able to play this sport, and I’m very grateful for everything that I have achieved so far. I still feel like there are many years in my legs.”

MATS WILANDER, A FORMER WORLD NO. 1, ON:

Comparing Novak to Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal: “He’s so good, he might even be better than the other two. When he’s feeling it and he’s on and he’s fighting, it’s nearly impossible to beat him. You can’t get the ball through him. Federer and Nadal have people who they don’t necessarily like to play against. Djokovic, I don’t see a player that he minds playing.”

See full article here.