Novak Djokovic- Inspiration To All (Fans,Tennis Players And People All Over The World)

While everyone was busy talking about Federer/Nadal, how these two great players were invincible, one player was making efforts slowly to begin his new era. For 4 years he was No.3 in the world before finally figuring out his destiny.

Often in life, we face adverse situations and think that we don’t have it in us to achieve our goals. However, what we often forget is that nothing is impossible in this world. I have always said that sports can change an individual’s life. We can learn so many things from any sport that we like. I happen to like tennis and this past Sunday, I learnt the most important lesson in my life:

“No one is invincible. Everything is possible.”

Who would have thought at the start of the year that Novak Djokovic would be the player to beat (even by Federer/Nadal - two of the greatest in the game)? Very few I guess. Who would have thought that he will be number 1 by Wimbledon’11? None I guess. But here he is - World no.1, with 48-1 winning streak and 2 grand-slams this year.

Since Feb 2004, none of the current/former tennis players have been able to dethrone the kings of tennis - Federer/Nadal. Anyone in their position might have been demoralized and frustrated. After trying so hard to achieve their goals and after years of failure, they might have even given up. The truth is that most of them did. But Djokovic didn’t. What is it that sets Nole apart?

From my viewpoint, it’s simply two things:

Belief in Himself:  In spite of being defeated 30 times by Federer/Nadal in the past 4 years, he did not lose confidence in himself. In the words of Jack Welch, Belief is probably the most important trait of a successful leader. After years of failure to break into the top two, he did not give up and kept his belief in himself when others had lost in themselves. Obviously, to back up his belief he has put in a lot of hard work which everyone does too, but nowadays, Tennis has become a mental game too. That’s why Nadal is considered a master in this game. And this belief (when most of them don’t have it) that he can defeat the best, gave an edge to Nole.

Ability to Change:  The only constant thing in life is change. However clichéd this may sound, if you continue to improve, only then you can survive; and if you don’t, you can get obsolete. That’s what Djokovic has been doing since last 3 years; he has been continually striving to become the best. Trying out additional coaches and team members (Mark Woodforde, Todd Martin in the past, nutritionist responsible for his all famous gluten free diet) shows his dedication towards improvement. He is a perfect example of “turning his weaknesses into strength”. His forehand and serve have improved significantly. His health (allergies because of which he retired a couple of times at a grand slam) has improved. Not only in his play, but also in his manner on the court, he has grown from a whiner to a calm and composed player who has won hearts of millions now. This has happened because he was ready to try out new things and accept changes. In Nadal’s own words he has become “A player with no weaknesses”.

Come to think of it, this player has done the unthinkable and has given life to so many dead beliefs. He is now a symbol of hope, happiness, success, belief and inspiration to people in Serbia, to every tennis player and to all the people in the world. Consider the impact on the tennis world - Now everyone will look at Novak Djokovic- the person who did the impossible. This can be a bad sign for Federer/Nadal as everyone will now work with a renewed enthusiasm that if Nole could do it, so can we. But I am sure, the great champions that these two players are; they would leave no stones unturned to respond to the challenge. Overall it is a very good sign for tennis.

So the next time, when you have failed and are feeling low, remember not to lose belief and be ready to change yourself for the best. When that will happen, at the right opportunity, things will click in your favor (just like Davis Cup win in 2010 for Nole) and the result will be obvious: You will become Novak Djokovic in your life.


Follow ApekshaHA on Twitter for Latest Updates: http://twitter.com/#!/ApekshaHA
Also:New:Can You Be Like AGASSI In Your Life?

Its Better Late Than Never

Article first published as It's Better Late Than Never on Technorati.

He pointed out to his entourage followed by a big shout after a big semifinal win.

She lay down on the court followed by looking at her husband and coach after her first grand slam victory.

He won the second match with his team 15 points down and got high fives by his teammates after getting the NBA final series tied 1-1.

Roger Federer, Li Na, and Dirk Nowitzki- the three current hot players on the circuit right now. You look at them and wonder in awe. How can they make everything look so tangible?

All three have one thing in common- Resolve to bounce back against extreme odds and critics. As Human beings grow old and grey, our risk taking ability and belief in ourselves also takes a down slide. And top that with our earlier failures, we start to loose belief in ourselves..

One question keeps popping out of my mind? Can I make it? People who have achieved the same goal that i long for/crave for(people who are living my dream) were so young or maybe they were just lucky that they got the opportunity right at their doorsteps . I wish to be one of them or to be young again (yeah I know we all are the same). Will I be able to do this?

These thoughts continued to haunt me at every stage of my life when I used to compare myself with people who had done better than me, or who were younger than me and were aspiring for the same goal. Be It MBA exams or job interview, it never left me until one day I realized is it too late for me to start up a new thing in my life?

You look at Li NA- a player who quit tennis to study journalism and came back and was virtually unknown till the age of 28. Roger Federer-who people had thought was downright underdog in front of Djokovic- 4 years younger than him/fresh legs. Dirk Nowitzki who had lost the opportunity in 2006 to win the NBA finals and now at the age of 32 is trying to compete with a team of stars 4-6 years younger than him. Going by the natural thoughts, one would think that they should have given it up and said that No we cannot do this? How lucky was Martina Hingis to have won her first title so young, how can i beat Djokovic when he is so young and is the best player currently, how can i even think of competing with a star studded team with the best players when i am 32, old enough to retire maybe?

But they didn’t and they never will. What makes these players so unique is their will to fight back and give their best no matter how tough the circumstances are. It doesn't matter whether they are too old enough by the books, or they have stiff competition from younger people, for them It’s never too late.

The sheer grit and determination is what sets these players apart. And I have strongly believed that god has given every human being two hands, two legs, two eyes, and one brain for a reason. So if these people can come up with such sheer resolve, is it hard enough for me to become strong willed in my pursuit of goal. So what if people think that i m not capable to do it, it is me who has to decide whether i can do it or not? Whether i can give my 100 percent and not lose hope.

There are so many examples to substantiate that ITS BETTER LATE THAN NEVER. Be it Andre Agassi or Winston Churchill (age of 62) or Abraham Lincoln, we all have it in ourselves to come back and achieve our goals. If one man can do it, so can you. Imagine all these people, if they would have given up and not tried what they would have missed? Do you really want to quit and not have that one thing in your life which you so dearly want? Because you think that you are too old enough, or right time has gone or there are more talented young people than you?

Just believe in yourself and never ever give up. Because if you do, it won’t be that god has made these people any different, it will be just that we are lazy enough to put in hard work in our fields. Always remember It’s better late than never.

Follow ApekshaHA on Twitter for Latest Updates: http://twitter.com/#!/ApekshaHA