TV Pick of the Week: Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter - review by Yvette Huddleston

Djokovic is undoubtedly a phenomenally gifted player – in terms of the number of Grand Slams won, he has beaten all the obvious contenders including the likes of Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, now both retired. The Serbian player is the last remaining member of that group, known as ‘the big three’, who dominated the men’s game for nearly two decades. However, unlike his famous rivals, Djokovic is not universally loved; he is a bit of a divisive figure.

The project had been in the pipeline for a while, but actually this is an interesting point at which to explore Djokovic’s mindset, as at the age of 38 he approaches the end of his career. There are candid interviews from the man himself in which he talks about the resilience and sheer grit it takes to keep competing at the highest level, and balancing his career with family life, which is obviously very important to him. Some of the most interesting and often moving revelations come from his wife Jelena who describes him as “warm, gentle and playful, but also angry.”

At one point Djokovic describes an incident when he was a child in war-torn Serbia. One night during the Nato bombings of Belgrade, he and his family had to run to a shelter. It was dark, chaos and panic all around, as the young Novak ran behind his parents and siblings, he tripped and fell. He recalls shouting for them as they disappeared out of sight. That is the kind of experience that stays with someone and shapes them. Jelena explains that spending time with their children and family means so much to her and her husband because their own parents, due to the circumstances of the war, could not guarantee the sort of stability that they can for their children.

The film offers real insight into Djokovic as an elite athlete and as a father, husband, brother and son. He comes across as thoughtful, likeable and driven. Like everyone he has his flaws, but underneath the tough, confident, sometimes arrogant exterior of the fearless competitor is a much softer, warmer and more vulnerable person. Even now, he is still trying to prove his worth, not only to the world but to himself. “Here is the biggest doubter,” he says, pointing at himself.