SUPREME COURT

THE WORLD'S FOREMOST TENNIS CHAMPION, NOVAK DJOKOVIC LOOKS TO THE FUTURE WITH HIS WELLNESS BRAND, CORPORATE COLLABORATIONS AND A THRIVING CHARITABLE FOUNDATION

- RAPHAEL ABRAHAM

OPPOSITE AND OPENER Djokovic at the Australian Open in January

Novak Djokovic these days exudes the relaxed contentment of a man who has nothing left to prove. As well he might. He is already the most successful male tennis player of all time, having amassed a record 24 Grand Slam titles, 99 singles titles and, as of last summer, the Olympic gold medal that eluded him for so long.

That's his face off the court, at least. On the court there is no place for that relaxed Novak. With his 38th birthday fast approaching, he is still trying to summon that insatiable hunger for victory as he sets his sights on a 100th title.

But there is no sign of that fearsome competitor when we meet—the face that greets me is all smiles. We are here to talk primarily about his interests outside tennis, particularly his entrepreneurial, endorsement and philanthropic activities. And while the R-word (retirement) is not mentioned, our conversation gives clues about the direction in which Djokovic might be drawn once his playing career is finally behind him.

“Tennis has consumed most of my life since a very young age,” he tells me. “I've devoted my mental, physical and emotional energy to it—and boy, did I have a reward from it.” That reward amounts to more than $186 million in prize money alone, with an estimated further $365 million in off-court earnings, according to Forbes.

So what, I wonder, has tennis taught him that is transferable to other spheres of life? “When you reach the highest levels of global professional sport, there are certain things it instils in you that are essential fundamentals of business or anything you do in life. Discipline and daily routine are underestimated in terms of how important they are. Discipline, commitment and devotion, but also innovation. Adaptability is unique and very rare.”