Novak Djokovic’s rise to the pinnacle of men’s tennis has often been defined by his unmatched mental edge — a trait that, according to coaching mastermind Patrick Mouratoglou, proved to be the decisive factor in his legendary rivalry with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Back when Djokovic broke into the ATP scene as a teenager, Federer and Nadal had already cemented their dominance. The duo had an iron grip on the major trophies, and their mere presence often caused opponents to fold before a single serve was struck. However, what set Djokovic apart was the fearless fire he brought with him — a rare blend of self-belief and resilience that suggested he wasn’t there just to compete, but to conquer.
Unlike most young players at the time, who approached matches against the ‘Big Two’ with reverence or resignation, Djokovic arrived with a mindset that defied the status quo. Even when the results didn’t immediately fall in his favor, he remained unshaken in his conviction that he belonged at the very top.
Reflecting on Djokovic’s early days, Mouratoglou — former coach to Serena Williams and current mentor to Naomi Osaka — doesn’t recall a single match or turning-point victory that captured the Serbian’s essence. Instead, what stuck with him was an off-court moment — a brief, bold pre-match interview that, in Mouratoglou’s eyes, revealed the mental blueprint of a future champion.
“I remember the first time when Novak came onto the tour and Rafa and Roger were winning everything,” Mouratoglou shared.
“All the other guys were thinking these two are unbeatable and then this young guy from Serbia comes onto the screen and he is about to play Roger in one of the first rounds of the Grand Slam.
“He was getting interviewed before the match and Novak said ‘I’m going to beat him’.
“Straight away the reaction to these comments was really negative and people were asking who was this guy who thinks he can beat the great Federer.
“Then another journalist said to Djokovic that he sounded a bit cocky and I remember his response. He was polite and said: ‘I’m not cocky, I’m just confident in my abilities’.
“Well, he went on to prove it. Time and again. He became world No 1, he beat both Roger and Rafa time and again and ended up with the best record of the three.”
In the hyper-competitive world of tennis, confidence can be a game-changer — and Djokovic possessed it in spades. His unshakable mindset not only helped him endure the intense physical and mental grind of the pro tour but propelled him past two of the sport’s greatest legends. Mouratoglou emphasizes that it’s this internal strength, more than any forehand or serve, that has led Djokovic to rewrite the record books.
“Mentally Novak is the strongest of the three,” states Mouratoglou. “He has won the most Grand Slams and has achieved the most of the three, by far by the way.
“It doesn’t please people when you say he is the best because the other two are more liked than Novak, but this is undeniable now. He is the greatest of all time.
“When you look at Novak’s game and compare it to Roger and Rafa, you say how can this guy with this game have a better record than the other two, but it is because he is the best of all time mentally.”
For Mouratoglou, Djokovic’s mental game isn’t something that can be passed on through coaching sessions or motivational speeches. It stems from consistent, intentional habits — a daily discipline that fuels his confidence from within.
“You can’t teach confidence like he had. You just have it and this is a big topic in my book. It is not a question of teaching confidence, but you can do things to build it in a person.
“It can’t come from someone else. No one can give you the confidence and it doesn’t come by chance. It’s something you earn by doing the right things every day.
“You look at what he is doing every day in his life and it gives Novak so much confidence. He builds his life around being the best he can be and he is the only one doing this.”
Djokovic himself has often opened up about the importance of mental discipline, especially in high-pressure moments. Whether it’s clawing his way back from match points down or flipping the script in a five-set marathon, his ability to stay composed when it counts is one of his most fearsome assets.
This unparalleled resolve, coupled with a relentless drive to optimize every aspect of his game, has helped Djokovic carve out a legacy that may very well eclipse those of Federer and Nadal. His story is not just one of records and rivalries — it’s a testament to the power of belief, built day by day, match by match. And in the annals of tennis history, that belief may ultimately be what places Djokovic at the very summit of the sport.