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.

Prizes

Winner of British Sports Book Awards 2025 (UK),Long-listed for William Hill Sports Book of the Year 2024 (UK)

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. -- Tom Hiddleston
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. -- Chris Evert
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. -- The Times tennis correspondent, Stuart Fraser
A fascinating insight into the greatest tennis player of all time... Offers an expert understanding of how Djokovic thinks on and off the court. -- Evening Standard tennis correspondent, Matt Majendie
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, New York Times bestselling 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’
'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 *

Mark Hodgkinson is known for his compelling biographies of Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Andy Murray and Serena Williams. His biography of Djokovic - Searching for Novak - won the International Sports Book of the Year prize at the 2025 Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards and was a Times Sports Book of the Year. 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. Additionally, he authored a bestselling book for Naomi Osaka's former coach, Sascha Bajin, and has collaborated with Olympic gold medallists, psychologist Charlie Unwin and former Marine Nick Goldsmith. Mark consults for international sports brands in Europe, the United States and Japan.