Searching for Novak: INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR

by Mark Hodgkinson

Delve inside the mind of one of the most successful tennis players of our time.At the 2023 U.S. Open, Novak Djokovic surpassed Daniil Medvedev with his 24th Grand Slam single title, becoming the greatest male tennis player of all time. No man has ever won more Grand Slams.This is an illuminating exploration into the psyche of one of the most fascinating and controversial sporting characters ever. From his war-torn beginnings in Serbia to rewriting tennis history, this book uncovers the player's relentless pursuit for perfection and the unique and eccentric strategies that have grabbed headlines and amused and confused tennis fans worldwide.From refusing the COVID-19 vaccine to inhaling a mystery 'magic potion', Novak's controversial approach to his craft is unconventional, yet supremely effective. Dive into the world of meditation, shadow-chasing, and toe separators as we uncover the unorthodox methods that fuel Novak's focus and resilience, both on and outside the court.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction, Sports

282 pages, Kindle Edition

Published July 4, 2024

Reviews

[Dominika Horaczy · Rating 1 out of 5]

1.5

To w większości fascynująca książka o niewątpliwie fascynującym człowieku – najlepszym tenisiście wszech czasów, pełnym kontrowersji i o trudnej historii. Jednak wydaje mi się, że cały fenomen tej książki wynika z fenomenu osoby, o której została napisana (i ciekawych aspektów życia, charakteru czy kariery Djokovicia) a nie umiejętności pisarskich autora. Słaby język (kompletnie nie literacki, zero plastyczności), dużo powtórzeń (książka mogłaby być sporo krótsza gdyby nie w kółko parafrazowanie tego samego)… ale gwoździem do trumny była w moim mniemaniu fanatyczna wręcz stronniczość autora (który Novaka przedstawia dosłownie w samych superlatywach, zachwyca się absolutnie każdym aspektem jego życia, a w książce niejednokrotnie porównuje go do Boga!!). Przez to sama nie wiem co w książce jest prawdą, a co przerysowanymi pochwałami dla tego kontrowersyjnego człowieka… I choć sama nie mam w pełni sprecyzowanej opinii o Novaku – niewątpliwym geniuszu tenisa, to mam wrażenie że ktoś tu chciał mnie do niego mocno przekonać i zażarcie bronić Djokovicia w każdym aspekcie. A tak nie powinno być w biografiach... ostatni rozdział już w ogóle fatalny i niepotrzebny – pięćdziesiąty raz te same pochwały i wychwalanie tenisisty pod niebiosa… Książkę polecam osobom zainteresowanym tenisem, bo można z niej po prostu wyciągnąć dużo ciekawych informacji o życiu i karierze Djokovicia oraz zobaczyć, co ukształtowało jego talent oraz niesamowity umysł, ale niestety trzeba być świadomym tej wszechobecnej stronniczości autora i jego kiepskiego warsztatu.

[Chantelle · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5 stars. It had some interesting info about the various things that have shaped Novak and how he approaches tennis and life e.g. his childhood experience with poverty, the bombings, his focus on mental health and emotional intelligence, etc, but it was a super repetitive read. The writing felt like someone had compiled a bunch of text messages or emails from people close to Novak and put them into a book, so it was hard to get into it as it felt disjointed. It was clear the author is a big fan of Novak, while he did show some of the human elements and some of the mistakes he has made along the way, it felt at times that they were determined to make the reader love Novak because he is 'like an alien force and better than all other players and humans'. You definitely appreciate how he has been so committed and done all he can to be the best player. It was also nice to discover the good he does for junior players, people in Serbia etc, as mainstream media definitely doesn't highlight that but the writing style and some of the content meant that I didn't develop a strong emotional connection with him as a player or person.

[Jeff Wait · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think a biography should show an objective, holistic view of a person. This one has some neat information about Novak, but the way it’s presented is uninteresting and often feels like a fan blog. If you’re a part of #NoleFam, perhaps this is the book for you. But if you aren’t, I can’t imagine this book will make you care.

[Wanesia · Rating 3 out of 5]

3/5⭐️
Fajnie było przeczytać o historii djokovica, ale gdybym tak głęboko nie siedziała w tenisie myślę, ze trudno byłoby mi wiele rzeczy zrozumieć

[Vaidas · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book should be called praising Novak. It contains a lot of information from interviews with people close to Novak. I also learned a lot, even though I used to follow tennis (mostly Novak) quite closely. However this book does not give the feeling of a balanced account. Even his quirks, associations with various healers and spiritual guides portrayed as brave acts of independent thinking.

[Kevin Derouin · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very interesting and thorough perspective of the inner workings that make up the GOAT of tennis. Novak’s insatiable drive for improvement and perfection explains his relentless pursuit of tennis immortality. An unconventional athlete if ever there was one ( drinking water below Bosnian pyramids, hiring a “love and peace adviser” who advocates in the power of long hugs and his vegan/ plant diet), Novak constantly redoes and reinvents himself to conform to his opponents styles. There is no stone unturned in his preparation: How is his opponent breathing? How is his opponent talking to his coaches during the match? How and where does his opponent hit shots? Novak’s resilience and brittleness can be attributed whole as a youngster he was in his family’s bunker while NATO forces bombed Belgrade and Serbia. That experience hardened him and molded his tougher than life mentality both in tennis and in life.

As with other driven and extreme athletes such as Tom Brady and Novak’s mentor Kobe (Mamba) Bryant, extreme discipline is necessary to stay on top for so long. John McEnroe said Novak is as good an athlete in any sport. This is a nice and easy read for anyone wondering how and what it takes to arrive and remain at the top of one’s profession. While I didn’t agree with Novak’s decision not to be vaccinated during the pandemic, I certainly admire his professionalism in taking his craft to where no one has ever taken it before.

[Dayne Pattison · Rating 2 out of 5]

A struggle to complete the book. The book really tries hard to focus on Djokovics mindset and why he is the way he is, however, it is extremely repetitive and I felt could have been written in half the volume.

It also appears as though the author has never even spoken to Djokovic or his team/family, but rather used quotes already said in the public domain which makes the book some across a bit more like a school project where a high word count was required.

Occasionally there are some interesting facts, but the author tends to then dedicate pages opening up on one sentence - I often found myself thinking “I’m sure I have already read this line”.

I think the book was trying to be like the Roger Federer biography “The Master” - to not focus so much on the tennis and normal biographical narrative, but instead came across as a much weaker attempt.

Be prepared to read a lot about how Djokovic has such strong “cosmic energy” that he is able to heal his own body.

[Hubert RvR · Rating 2 out of 5]

The piece is written in an extremely laudatory form, failing to offer a proper objectivity. No one challenges Novak's stats (achievements that are unparalleled), yet tennis (just as most sports) is not just about results. The fact that he failed to win the hearts to the extend of Roger or Rafa is associated with i) style of his game; b) the energy he propagates as a person (he does a lot of good, yet the general image is sterile).
The book does not follow a very clear structure of contents, feels long-winded in multiple places.
It was interesting to learn about his background (surviving NATO 1999 bombings), his discipline around diet (from a son of pizza joint owners to a gluten-free super precise nutrition), but mostly about his life philosophy and the constant search for love and acceptance.

[Oscar Dent · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dull, repetitive, badly written. The source material was various interviews with people who are or have been (not very) close to Novak, and it is unclear whether these interviews were conducted by the author or pulled second hand from other sources. The disjointed nature of them, in addition to the way they are used with no reference to time or place makes it seem the latter.

While I learnt a little more on Novak's upbringing, mental processes, and beliefs, there is very little here that an active tennis fan does not yet already know.

The sections of the book that deal with controversy almost universally defend Novak, or at least skate over his more egregious actions, and apply no journalistic rigour or debate.

Waste of time.

[Millie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.75

Well this was an interesting read for me, and I think it was worth reading; I felt my tennis game improving. I thought this was going to be more of a self-help book but it was literally a biography. Which I didn't really expect but it was still cool. I don't think there is any new information that has come up through this book which did annoy some people. I knew next to nothing about Djokovic before reading this book so most of this info was new to me, so that's why it didn't really bother me. Overall though it was interesting to read about, it felt a bit too long. I think It could have been 75-100 pages shorter.

[Ben Tate · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve got a few issues with this book, although I enjoyed reading it and my admiration for Novak has increased because of reading it.

A lot of the material in the book was repeated a few times and could have been edited out. It was also hard to tell who was telling this story. I would love to have heard from Novak directly about these issues, ideas and areas of his life, but they were all second hand recalls and opinions. Perhaps that was not possible and makes the project more difficult ???? I think the true story lies in his early childhood (late 90’s) he has certainly had a different upbringing to other sporting greats!

Worth a read!

[Wendi Manning · Rating 2 out of 5]

This didn’t live up to my expectations. This is a book that seems to want to do everything, but it doesn’t. I had to force myself to finish.

For something promoted as an inside look at Novak’s mind, it didn’t feel real. It gave off a group text of friends trying to figure out why their partner did something wrong.

I wouldn’t recommend it to anyone who isn’t a Djokovic fan and I would say to take it with a grain of salt.


Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC, and all opinions are my own.

[Goran P · Rating 2 out of 5]

Novak is a very interesting person, which the book spotlights in various ways, but fails to penetrate deep due to it being a biography. Insights in mental toughness and fighting adversity is prominent in this book. I’m a Djokovic fan so I loved reading the book so I would give 3/5, for anyone else reading 2/5. I look forward to a more flushed out detailed autobiography, if Novak ever writes one in the future after his career is done.

[Kimmi Mimmi Bookstagram · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have never been a person for autobiographies, but I recently read Open (Andre Agassi), which I absolutely loved. So when I saw "Searching for Novak" at the shops, I was like .. I gotta read this as I always felt Novak was an interesting character.

I really struggled to read this book as I was expecting something more engaging given Novak's persona in the media.

I am looking forward to reading Novak's autobiography once he retires from tennis.

[Apoorv Pandey · Rating 5 out of 5]

A well written book on the GOAT of tennis or quite possibly the Greatest of any sport. The book takes you through his journey as a little boy in bombarded Serbia to the highs of him becoming number 1 in the world. The book is as unique as Novak himself. It covers his highs and lows well and how his lows fueled his huger to be the best again and again and again. The book leaves you inspired.

It is also a quick read - without making you feel bored.

[Nicholas Powell · Rating 2 out of 5]

So repetitive! A biography should provide a balanced and detailed analysis of an individual. The author fails to provide any critical discussion regarding some of Djokovic’s alternative lifestyle choices, and seeks to portray Djokovic as the victim in the Aus Open debacle, without considering the valid critiques of his behaviour throughout the pandemic. Personally, I quite like Novak, but he is a flawed person like everyone else! To only discuss his good qualities and actions is insincere.

[Donal Cuddy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Intriguing insight into the Belgrade boy raised in a war torn country who went on to become one of the greatest of all time.
Charts Djokovic's journey from a young prodigy travelling Europe to build his craft to how he developed into the world's best. The book provided a base level knowledge on the key aspects of his journey like training methods, motivation, diet & alternative medicine, a little more in depth in these areas & it's 5 stars.
Overall, a very enjoyable read.

[Di Paterson · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm a big Novak fan, so I was hoping for more insight here, but there's nothing new. The writing is extremely biased and repetitive, and while there is some insight into Novak's childhood and formative years and more factual information about the Australia/Covid debacle, it doesn't tell the reader who Novak is. I was a bit disappointed.

[Lien Nguyen · Rating 4 out of 5]

An inspiring read although Im not a big fan of tennis. Determination, dream big, working hard and independent thinker are few words describing ND. The book can be written more concisely but overall still pleasant and inspiring to read

[Ana Ciurea · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book follows Novak’s story from his early years. It’s more than just a sports biography. If you’re passionate about tennis or simply love inspiring stories of resilience and ambition, this book is a must read. I highly recommend it!

[Mktz · Rating 3 out of 5]

Jak dla mnie było zarówno sporo ciekawych informacji, o których nie miałem pojęcia, ale również pojawiło się sporo rzeczy, których nie musiałem wiedzieć. Trochę zbyt mocno historia przedstawiona w superlatywach

[Will · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not really a fan of Djokovic, or even really tennis other than in Wimbledon fortnight. But I found this a fascinating insight into a top athlete and a complex character. Brilliantly written.

[CherylR · Rating 4 out of 5]

well researched

The book was sort of repetitive, but I am a Novak fan so I didn’t mind too much. I did skim some of it though.

[Charlie Barnes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read - incredibly in depth and thematic

[Debbie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read about an amazing athlete.

[Lisa Grayston · Rating 3 out of 5]

A biography written mostly with content from everyone else other than Novak himself.

[Hershey Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Gave good insight into Novak’s life, but the writing style is a little all over the place

[Lisa Toon · Rating 3 out of 5]

OK read, felt it could be written much better as it seemed to jump from one topic to another. I'm sure the other books about Novak out there would be much better

[Amelia Thomas · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was so repetitive and gave no objective insight to Djokovic at all, like no.1 fan alert…
Overall though it was interesting the first time you found something out

[MarioRun2tri · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ciekawa książka! Nie tylko dla fanów Djokovića.