Searching for Novak, Mark Hodgkinson
Searching for Novak, Mark Hodgkinson
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Searching for Novak
INTERNATIONAL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR

Author: Mark Hodgkinson

Narrator: Nigel Barden

Unabridged: 8 hr 38 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Cassell

Published: 07/04/2024


Synopsis

International Sports Book of the Year 2025 - Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards

'A fantastic and fascinating exploration of the life of a great champion... Full of compelling insight.' - Tom Hiddleston

'This book captures the deep complexities in Novak's mind and his life and how he's dealt with them in a thoughtful, soul-searching way.' - Chris Evert

'A fascinating insight into the greatest tennis player of all time.' - Evening Standard tennis correspondent, Matt Majendie

'An absorbing insight into the story behind the greatest player of all time.' - The Times tennis correspondent, Stuart Fraser

'Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in tennis, as well as those who consider themselves experts.' - Charlie Eccleshare, tennis correspondent for the New York Times and The Athletic

'Mark Hodgkinson goes memorably deep on Novak Djokovic - from his hard-luck beginnings to his gluten-free diet to his unorthodox mind - helping us better understand one of the most fascinating figures in sports.' - Christopher Clarey, author of The Master

'Meticulously-researched, this is a go-to book for anyone who wants to get a real insight into what has made Novak Djokovic such a champion.' - Simon Cambers, author of The Federer Effect

No man or woman has won more Grand Slam singles titles than Novak Djokovic, who took his 24th major at the 2023 US Open. Based on fresh interviews with people close to Djokovic - including his friends and mentors, along with his former coaches and his rivals - this is an in-depth exploration of the psyche of one of the most fascinating and controversial sporting characters ever. From a bomb shelter in Belgrade to an immigration detention centre in Melbourne, and everywhere in between, this book uncovers his relentless pursuit of perfection and the unconventional beliefs that have propelled him to greatness.

Rage. Forgiveness. Shame. Pride. Love. Searching for Novak examines the psychological and emotional side of rewriting tennis history.

About Mark Hodgkinson

Mark Hodgkinson is known for his compelling biographies of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Serena Williams. His last book - Searching for Novak - was long-listed for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year and described as 'a terrific book' by tennis legend Chris Evert.A former Daily Telegraph tennis correspondent, he has ghostwritten columns for Boris Becker, Martina Navratilova, Bjorn Borg and Pete Sampras, and also collaborated on a book with boxer Lawrence Okolie and on a golf project with singer Robbie Williams. Mark worked on two fitness books with Daniel Craig, Tom Hiddleston and their trainer Simon Waterson, one of which became an Amazon bestseller. Additionally, he authored a bestselling book for Naomi Osaka's former coach, Sascha Bajin, and has collaborated with psychologist Charlie Unwin and former Marine Nick Goldsmith. Mark consults for international sports brands in Europe, the United States and Japan.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Chantelle on December 06, 2024

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 lik......more

Goodreads review by Wanesia on December 31, 2024

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

Goodreads review by Vaidas on November 29, 2024

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, associat......more

Goodreads review by Jeff on June 20, 2024

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 thi......more

Goodreads review by Dayne on January 29, 2025

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,......more


Quotes

A fantastic and fascinating exploration of the life of a great champion. Mark Hodgkinson takes us through Novak Djokovic's story, and into the mind of a unique athlete and human being. Full of compelling insight.

This is a terrific book. Mark Hodgkinson has spoken to those who really know and get Novak. This book captures the deep complexities in Novak's mind and his life and how he's dealt with them in a thoughtful, soul-searching way.

An absorbing insight into the story behind the greatest player of all time, with no shortage of fresh material to show why Djokovic is one of the most intriguing characters in the sport.

A fascinating insight into the greatest tennis player of all time... Offers an expert understanding of how Djokovic thinks on and off the court.

Mark Hodgkinson goes memorably deep on Novak Djokovic - from his hard-luck beginnings to his gluten-free diet to his unorthodox mind - helping us better understand one of the most fascinating figures in sports.

Meticulously-researched, this is a go-to book for anyone who wants to get a real insight into what has made Novak Djokovic such a champion.

'It's not easy to tell readers things they don't know about such well-reported subjects as Novak Djokovic, but Hodgkinson manages it here very impressively. The access to very well-placed sources helps to give fresh insights on the man and what makes him tick. Would recommend to anyone with even a passing interest in tennis, as well as those who consider themselves experts.' Charlie Eccleshare, tennis correspondent for the New York Times and The Athletic


Awards

  • William Hill Sports Book of the Year
  • British Sports Book Awards