When Andre Agassi speaks about tennis, the world listens. The former world No.1, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, and one of the sport’s most charismatic figures, has witnessed greatness across generations. Yet, when Agassi recently opened up about Novak Djokovic, he revealed an untold secret that separates the Serbian champion from anyone else who has graced the game. According to Agassi, the cornerstone of Djokovic’s dominance is not only his physical abilities or technical mastery, but his intensity about everything—a mindset that has shaped his legendary career.
The Meeting of Two Generations
When Agassi joined Djokovic’s coaching team briefly in 2017, many were intrigued by the partnership. Djokovic was already a multiple-time Grand Slam champion, yet he was struggling with injuries and confidence. Agassi, who had faced his own career setbacks and personal battles, seemed like the perfect mentor to guide Djokovic back to form. While their collaboration did not last long, Agassi later admitted that he left with a profound appreciation for Djokovic’s obsessive commitment to every aspect of life.
Agassi explained that Djokovic was not just meticulous about training sessions or match strategy. He was equally intense about his diet, sleep schedule, breathing techniques, and mental conditioning. Agassi described this as a relentless pursuit of perfection, an almost spiritual devotion to self-improvement. Unlike many players who focus solely on forehands, backhands, or serve mechanics, Djokovic’s philosophy stretched beyond the court.
Intensity Beyond the Game
To understand Djokovic’s career, one must recognize that his intensity is not confined to the baseline rallies or marathon matches that have defined his era. According to Agassi, Djokovic carries that intensity into every decision he makes. From adopting a gluten-free diet long before it became mainstream, to practicing yoga, meditation, and even experimenting with alternative healing techniques, Djokovic approaches life with the same seriousness as a Grand Slam final.
This intensity has often sparked debate. Critics sometimes dismiss his routines as eccentric or overly rigid. Yet Agassi argued that it is precisely this all-encompassing discipline that allows Djokovic to push boundaries where others plateau. For Djokovic, the game of tennis is inseparable from the game of life. Each choice—whether it concerns nutrition, psychology, or spirituality—feeds into his performance.
Comparing Greatness Across Eras
Agassi’s reflection on Djokovic also provides a lens through which we can compare eras of tennis. Agassi himself was renowned for his flamboyant personality, his rebel image, and his incredible shot-making. Yet he confessed that while he was passionate, he did not always apply the same holistic approach to his career that Djokovic does. In Agassi’s words, Djokovic represents an evolution of the athlete: someone who not only trains harder and smarter but also treats his body and mind as sacred instruments of performance.
This contrasts with Djokovic’s greatest rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, who built their own legends in unique ways. Federer relied on effortless grace and precision, Nadal on raw power and determination. Djokovic, however, combines flexibility, resilience, and endurance, and according to Agassi, his secret lies in his obsessive intensity about every detail.
The Mental Fortress
One of the areas where Djokovic’s intensity shines most is in the mental game. Agassi described Djokovic as possessing a mental fortress, an ability to withstand pressure unlike anything he had seen before. This is not accidental. Djokovic spends as much time training his mind as he does his body. He visualizes, meditates, and rehearses moments of pressure long before they occur.
This mental discipline explains why Djokovic has won so many matches after saving match points, or why he thrives in grueling five-set encounters. While others falter under the weight of the moment, Djokovic seems to grow stronger. Agassi noted that this was not about talent alone, but about an intentional cultivation of resilience, something Djokovic built through years of introspection and rigorous practice.
Resilience Through Struggles
Agassi also highlighted that Djokovic’s path was never easy. Growing up during the Yugoslav Wars, Djokovic trained in difficult conditions, sometimes dodging bombings while practicing on improvised courts. Those early struggles forged an inner strength that still defines him today. Agassi, who understood personal struggle in his own life, saw in Djokovic a similar capacity to turn hardship into fuel.
When Djokovic faced setbacks later in his career, including injuries, controversies, and public criticism, he relied on the same intensity to rise again. Agassi emphasized that this resilience is the hallmark of a champion. Djokovic’s determination to analyze setbacks, adjust, and come back stronger is what has allowed him to remain at the top for so long.
Obsession as a Double-Edged Sword
Yet Agassi did not shy away from acknowledging that Djokovic’s intensity can also be a double-edged sword. At times, it alienates him from fans or sparks tension with media narratives. His insistence on unconventional health practices or his willingness to speak out on polarizing issues often puts him at odds with mainstream expectations. Still, Agassi suggested that this is part of Djokovic’s uniqueness: he is willing to embrace being misunderstood if it means staying true to his path.
For Djokovic, authenticity outweighs popularity. This, too, is a lesson Agassi believes makes Djokovic’s career remarkable. By refusing to compromise his beliefs and routines, Djokovic has carved out an identity that is both admired and questioned, but undeniably authentic.
Legacy Shaped by Intensity
Agassi’s comments on Djokovic’s intensity lead to a broader reflection on his legacy. With over 20 Grand Slam titles and counting, Djokovic has already secured his place among the greatest of all time. Yet what makes his career legendary, according to Agassi, is not merely the numbers, but the mindset that achieved them. Djokovic has redefined what it means to be a professional athlete in the modern era.
His legacy will not only be measured by trophies but also by the example he sets for future generations. Young players now see that greatness requires more than talent and hard work; it requires a complete lifestyle built on intensity, discipline, and unwavering focus.
Agassi’s Final Reflection
When Agassi concludes his reflections on Djokovic, he often returns to a simple truth: “He’s intense about everything.” Those words, while brief, encapsulate an entire philosophy. To Agassi, Djokovic is not just a tennis player; he is a way of life, a demonstration of what is possible when passion and discipline converge without compromise.
Agassi knows better than most that tennis careers are fleeting, that fame is fragile, and that numbers eventually fade into history. But what endures is the spirit of how a champion approached the game. In Djokovic’s case, that spirit is defined by intensity—unyielding, unapologetic, and unforgettable.
Conclusion: A Champion Beyond the Court
In revealing the untold secret behind Novak Djokovic’s career, Andre Agassi has given us more than just an insight into a sportsman’s habits. He has illuminated the blueprint of greatness in the modern age. Djokovic’s intensity is not a quirk; it is the very engine of his dominance. It explains his longevity, his resilience, and his ability to outlast legends who once seemed untouchable.
For fans of tennis, Djokovic’s story serves as both inspiration and challenge. It shows that greatness is not only about what happens under the lights of Wimbledon or the roar of the US Open, but also about the quiet, unseen moments—the meals chosen carefully, the breaths counted in meditation, the unshakable belief carried into every rally.
Agassi’s revelation, therefore, is not just about Novak Djokovic. It is about what it takes to be extraordinary in any field. In life, as in tennis, true greatness is reserved for those who are intense about everything.
