“My goal is to become the best tennis player in the world” – Novak Djokovic predicted he would be no 1 when he was just 21

published

Novak Djokovic is currently the World No.1 and reigning Australian Open champion

With 17 Grand Slam titles under his kitty, there is no doubt that Novak Djokovic is of the best players tennis has ever produced.

He is the current World No.1 – a feat he achieved earlier this year after winning his record eighth Australian Open title.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning a point in the 2020 Australian Open. (Getty Images)

Known for his hard work and determination, Djokovic was pretty confident that he would one day achieve his dream of becoming the best tennis player.

In a throwback interview from 2008, a 21-year-old Djokovic predicted that one day he would become the number one player in the world.

“My goal is to become the best tennis player in the world. I’m relatively close to achieving this goal, but I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself,” Djokovic said during the interview.

At this point in his career, Djokovic was creating some serious waves in the professional circuit winning his maiden Grand Slam title in Australia and was tipped to be a future World No.1.

With Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal dominating the tennis scene during the days, Djokovic finally achieved his dream by becoming the World No.1 in 2011.

Mario Ancic’s words of praise for young Djokovic

The fact that Djokovic was a talent was reflective in the words of fellow professional and friend Mario Ancic.

Mario Ancic and Novak Djokovic are close friends
Mario Ancic and Novak Djokovic during the 2006 Wimbledon Championships. (Getty Images)

Ancic also opined that Djokovic was focused and had the potential to achieve whatever he wanted:

“We’ve known each other since the beginning of our tennis careers. He came on the scene a few years after me and I’ve been following his progress. He’s improved so much and has enormous ability,” Ancic said.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic with the 2020 Australian Open title (Getty Images)

“He’s got his family right behind him and he’s definitely focused on his tennis. He has the potential to achieve whatever he wants to in the sport.”

Ancic was a former World No.7 and helped his country the bag the 2005 Davis Cup.

More tennis news:

Follow our dedicated tennis page for instant news and updates