Amazon to serve up original documentary series about Novak Djokovic
James R | On 11, Sep 2016
Amazon is serving up a documentary series about Novak Djokovic.
The show, which has the working title “Novak”, will follow the world’s number one tennis player throughout the 2017 season.
“There are not enough superlatives to describe Novak Djokovic, one of the most accomplished, multi-dimensional, exciting and captivating athletes on the planet,” says Conrad Riggs, Head of Unscripted, Amazon Originals. “Prime members will get an intimate look at the mind and life of a world champion, husband and father, as well as the incredible group of individuals that make up his team.”
In has career so far, Djokovic has won 12 Grand Slam titles, the fourth most in history, including a record six Australian Open titles, three Wimbledon titles, one French Open title and two US Open titles. In 2016, he became the eighth player in history to achieve the Career Grand Slam, winning each of the major Grand Slam singles titles. Amazon’s announcement of its new series arrives as Novak may add one more trophy to his list, as he faces Stan Wawrinka in the final of the 2016 US Open.
Amazon’s series is based on a concept by Alberto Scarpetta and Novak Djokovic, aiming to give an “unprecedented inside look” into his routine over the next tennis season, including his professional life on and off the court, his mental and fitness regimes and commitment to healthy food rules and habits, as well as his work in education reform with the Novak Djokovic Foundation and charities such as UNICEF, trips to his hometown in Serbia and even his daily journal entries.
“Passion, perseverance, commitment and self-awareness are key elements of a champion, but these are impossible to maintain without strong support around you. I am fortunate to have the support of both a caring family and a strong team working with me,” comments Novak Djokovic. “My fans have been suffering and celebrating with me from the very beginning of my career on the tennis courts and now I want to share with them all my daily life and what’s important to me—my values, my beliefs, and my habits — and also introduce to them all the amazing people that are always next to me.”
The show will be co-produced by The WorkShop (The Haney Project, The Vince Papale Story) and Film 45 (On Freddie Roach, Live to Tell), founded by Peter Berg (Lone Survivor and the upcoming Deepwater Horizon and Patriots Day), who will serve as an executive producer. Djokovic and Scarpetta are slated to executive produce, along with The WorkShop’s Tom Farrell and Todd Donnelly, Film 45’s Matthew Goldberg and Brandon Carroll, and The Alternative Co.’s John Ferriter. John Henion (Fearless, Chef’s Table, Road to the Show) is lined up to serve as Co-Executive Producer and Showrunner. Former professional tennis player Boris Kodjoe and former UCLA All American and NCAA Champion Philipp Gruendler are also credited as Co-Executive Producer and Consulting Producer, respectively.
Novak will premiere exclusively on Amazon Prime Video in the US, UK, Germany, Austria and Japan.