Inat and the recipe for being Djokovic
A new documentary explores the career and longevity of tennis star Novak Djokovic, attributing his success to the Serbian concept of 'Inat', a form of stubborn resilience. Despite being 39, Djokovic remains a top-ranked player and continues to compete at the highest level, defying retirement speculation.
Why it matters
Djokovic is a global sports icon whose career longevity challenges traditional perceptions of aging in professional athletics.
Novak Djokovic is the undisputed poster boy of sports longevity. He turns 40 in 2027, and at 39, his ATP ranking is No. 5. He embodies longevity as the world knows it today. When it comes to winning, Djoko or Nole, as he is known among fans, still pushes out the fangs. He defeated World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a four-plus-hour battle in the semi-final of the Australian Open in 2026 itself.
A question that haunts the tennis world: “Will Djokovic retire soon?” Given his momentum, that question is starting to feel stale, and as the documentary reveals, it annoys him. “If I can still be a top 10 player and compete at the highest level, why should I stop?” he asks.
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