Angry? Stressed? Things not going your way? Tennis legend Novak Djokovic practices a technique to reset his mind during matches

When Novak Djokovic stepped onto the court at Wimbledon this year, the odds didn’t seem in his favour. The crowd was against him, the score was slipping, and frustration was beginning to mount. But instead of letting the pressure unravel him, the 24-time Grand Slam champion turned inward—towards his breath.

According to breathwork trainer Stuart Sandeman, Djokovic’s real superpower isn’t just his skill or experience—it’s his ability to stay calm and reset physiologically when everything around him is spiralling. Sandeman shared on Instagram that Djokovic blocked out the noise, focused on deep, controlled breathing, and used breathwork as a tool to regain clarity, calm, and control.

This wasn’t a mental pause—it was a strategic reset of the nervous system. Through breath, Djokovic slowed his heart rate, lowered stress hormones like cortisol, and sharpened his focus—all in real time, in the middle of a high-stakes match.

Though Djokovic eventually lost to Jannik Sinner in the semifinals, his performance continues to stand as a testament to what it takes to stay at the top—at age 38, no less. With 100 singles titles and a record 72 Big Titles, Djokovic’s dominance has long been attributed to his technique and discipline. But as Sandeman points out, his mastery over breath may be the edge that truly sets him apart. This is breathwork not just for relaxation—but for performance, presence, and peak power exactly when it matters most.

Internet reacts
Many users praised the rising prominence of breathwork training in tennis, calling it a valuable addition to the sport. Some pointed out how it’s all about the breathwork when it comes to unlocking peak performance. Others found it fascinating to see more elite athletes embracing such techniques, noting that while breathwork is beneficial for everyone, it becomes a true game-changer in high-performance settings—helping players go longer, push harder, and recover faster. One user, who has worked with breathwork professionally, reflected that while the true benefits may take years to be widely understood, it will eventually become common practice once people realise its true power.