Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic was awarded the title of Best Athlete by the Serbian Olympic Committee, following an outstanding season in 2023. The Serbian Olympic Committee annually honors athletes who have excelled in various sports, and Djokovic met all the criteria in 2023 to be crowned the Best Athlete of the Year.
This marks the tenth time in his career that he has received this award, with his first win in 2007, a year that saw him reach the final of a Grand Slam tournament for the first time at the US Open.
Novak Djokovic’s remarkable 2023 tennis season is highlighted by a series of impressive achievements, solidifying his status as one of the sport’s all-time greats. He started the year strong by winning his 10th Australian Open, matching Rafael Nadal’s record of 22 major titles. This victory was notable as he only lost one set throughout the tournament, demonstrating his dominance on the court.
Despite facing some challenges, including being unable to compete in the Indian Wells and Miami Opens due to visa issues related to his vaccination status, Djokovic continued to excel in other tournaments. His clay court season had its ups and downs, with early exits in some tournaments, but he bounced back by winning the French Open. This victory was historic as it marked his 23rd men’s singles major, breaking the all-time record and making him the first man to win each major at least three times.
Djokovic’s season also included winning two ATP Masters 1000 titles and reaching the final at Wimbledon, where he narrowly missed out on the title in a thrilling match against Carlos Alcaraz. His performance in Cincinnati was particularly memorable, where he won his third title at the event and extended his record of ATP Masters 1000 titles.
The US Open saw Djokovic continue his exceptional form, culminating in his 24th Grand Slam title, which placed him two clear of Nadal and equaled Margaret Court’s all-time record. This victory also made him the oldest US Open men’s singles champion in the Open Era.
Throughout the year, Djokovic achieved several records, including winning his seventh ATP Finals title, breaking a tie with Roger Federer for the most titles at the event. He also secured the ATP Year-End No.1 honor for a record eighth time and spent over 400 weeks at the top of men’s professional tennis.
