Novak Djokovic has long fought a losing battle in the court of public opinion, often overshadowed by the affection fans reserve for Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, even during his epic duels with them. Though sentiment has softened in recent years, with fans recognizing that tennis’s greatest champion is nearing his twilight, hostility still lingers. Djokovic has often admitted that the crowd’s scorn cuts deep, that his longing for acceptance is profoundly human. So when Piers Morgan asked how he wanted to be regarded, the question struck a nerve in the 38-year-old legend’s heart.

In a recent episode of Uncensored, Novak Djokovic opened up in one of his most heartfelt interviews yet. When asked how he wanted to be remembered, the 24-time Grand Slam champion paused, visibly emotional, before replying, “The man who touched people’s hearts.” The words hung in the air with rare vulnerability. Moments later, his voice cracked as he added, “I wanna cry right now, I think I’ve realized what I want on my tombstone. Thank you for that, you helped me come to that realisation.” 

That emotional honesty wasn’t new to Djokovic. Just a week earlier, he broke down in front of fans in Greece as he paid tribute to his former coach and mentor, Nikola Pilic, who passed away earlier this year. The Serbian icon shared that attending Pilic’s funeral was the first time he had ever gone to one, and the raw emotion of the moment left him deeply moved. Reflecting on the experience, Djokovic spoke about what truly resonated with him that day.

“The human connections that he (Pilic) has left behind and established throughout his life and his career,” he said softly, recalling how the love and respect surrounding his late coach went far beyond his tennis accomplishments.

He went on to add, “How he touched people’s hearts who were not just there at the funeral, but at the tennis club, post-funeral. … The way people talked about him, it was not about tennis and what he has achieved as a player, as a coach, who he has coached. It was about who he was as a person, how he conducted himself with people, how he changed the lives of young people or anybody who he has (been) coming close to. That’s how I want to be remembered.”

Those words revealed the depth of Djokovic’s yearning, not merely for greatness, but for connection. Despite being one of the most decorated athletes in history, his journey has often been marked by public scrutiny and divided opinion. His loyal supporters have always defended him fiercely, yet the scars left by years of criticism still linger.

Even on court, Djokovic’s 2025 season ended with both triumph and heartbreak. He captured the Hellenic Championships in Greece, defeating Lorenzo Musetti in the final, his first-ever title in the country that had just hosted his most emotional week. Yet the victory came at a cost. Struggling with a shoulder injury sustained during the tournament, Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals in Turin, cutting short his year just as he was finding rhythm again.

Now, his sights are firmly set on returning in time for the 2026 Australian Open, the stage of so many of his greatest triumphs. As he chases his elusive 25th Grand Slam title, Djokovic has admitted that the road ahead will be harder than ever. With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner leading tennis’s new generation, he knows the next era won’t be kind. 

Novak Djokovic admits winning a grand slam will be tough because of ‘Sincaraz’

For the first time since 2009–10, Novak Djokovic finds himself in unfamiliar territory, two consecutive seasons without a Grand Slam title. The Serb legend, who equaled Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 majors with his 2023 US Open triumph, has seen the torch begin to flicker. Despite reaching the semifinals at every major this year, the story ended the same each time; either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner stood in his way, halting him three times out of four. When history inches so close yet slips away, even the strongest hearts begin to question.

“I do have more doubts that I can win slams, particularly against these two guys,” Djokovic admitted on the same show. “But at the same time, I know that while I am still active, and when I enter the court, I don’t care who is across the net, I always believe I’m better, and I believe that I deserve to win, and I’m going to do everything I can to win.” The words carried the grit of a warrior refusing to surrender.

“I am aware that right now both are better than me,” he confessed, an admission that felt both humble and haunting. Yet as the new season dawns, one question burns brighter than ever: can Djokovic script a Tiger Woods-like miracle? Piers Morgan himself drew the parallel, invoking Woods’ 2019 Masters victory after 11 long years in exile. 

For Djokovic, the pursuit of that elusive 25th might just be his greatest battle yet: a war not against time, but against doubt itself.