Novak Djokovic reveals the on-court acts he’s ashamed of as he opens up on his secret methods for dominating opponents

Tennis genius Novak Djokovic has lifted the lid on his secret methods of dominating opponents and the one on-court act he’s ashamed of as he attempts to win his 11th Australian Open title.

The 36-year-old Serbian has enjoyed a remarkable 2023 despite losing to Carlos Alcaraz at Wimbledon in the men’s singles final, and is still very much the man to beat on tour.

Djokovic is guaranteed to finish the year as world No.1 and has revealed the keys to the way he uses his mental strength to crush his opponents.

‘Conscious breathing is a big part, especially in the moments you are under tension,’ he told Channel Ten’s The Project on Tuesday night. 

‘I may appear locked in, but trust me, there is a storm inside. And you know, the biggest always battle is within, right? You have your doubts and fears. I feel it every single match. You are a human being. 

‘The difference I guess between the guys who are able to be biggest champions and the ones that are struggling to get to the highest level is the ability to not stay in those emotions for too long. 

‘For me, it is really relatively short. As soon as I experience it, I acknowledge it, I maybe burst, I scream on the court – whatever happens, but then I am able to bounce back and reset.’

Djokovic admits to closely watching every move his opponents make, even while the players are having a break.

‘Even though there’s no physical contact in tennis, there is still a lot of eye contact when we are changing ends, when we are sitting on the bench and the big screen shows him, how he drinks his water,’ he said.

‘Then I am looking at him. How is he drinking water, is he sweating more than usual? Is he breathing deeply or not deeply?’

The world number one said he has learned to thrive in hostile environments, but has sometimes let his emotions get the better of him.

‘Look, I have broken rackets in my life,’ he said. 

‘No doubt about it. I’m not proud about that. I am ashamed of myself when I do that. No doubt. 

Djokovic (pictured with wife Jelena) said he watches his opponents like a hawk, trying to find every possible weakness

Djokovic, 36, is still at the top of men’s tennis and is aiming for an 11th Australian Open title when he’s down under next month

‘But at the same time, you know, I accept myself as a flawed human being.’

The 24-time Grand Slam winner was sensationally deported from Australia in 2022 after refusing to reveal if he was double jabbed.

The experience inspired him to train harder and come back an even better player. 

‘I was declared as a villain of the world,’ he said. ‘And I had basically most of the world against me.

‘I had that kind of experience on the tennis court with crowds. They were maybe not cheering me on. But I never had this particular experience before in my life.’

Djokovic says lots of people have the wrong idea about his stance on vaccines after his controversial deportation.

‘People tried to, you know, declare me as an anti-vax,’ he said.

‘I am not anti-vax. Nor am I pro-vax. I am pro-freedom to choose.’