"I don't want trophies on my grave": Djokovic's moving confession

Asked about his legacy, Djokovic didn't talk about tennis. He talked about humanity.

AFP

Arthur Millot

le 29/11/2025 à 18h20

1 min to read

Djokovic

It all starts with a question that few athletes dare to face:

"When you retire... How would you like to be remembered?"

Piers Morgan, the famous British journalist, might have expected an answer related to titles, records, but no.

The former world number one recounts that he lost Nikola Pilić, his "tennis father," a little over a month ago.

And at his funeral, he expected to hear about glory, achievements, victories. But every speaker only talked about how he did good around him, how he touched hearts, how he saw others.

It was there, says Djokovic, that he understood what truly remains.

"I don't want trophies on my tombstone"

So, he answers Piers Morgan in an interview broadcast on YouTube and states this:

"I am incredibly proud of the 24 Grand Slams, the records, everything I fought for.

But when I am no longer here, I don't want trophies on my tombstone. I want it to say: Here lies Novak Djokovic, the man who touched people's hearts."

This statement illustrates a champion who, after decades spent chasing greatness, seems to discover or accept what truly matters.