Novak Djokovic: Acceptance and His Path Toward Trust

Key points

Surrender feels unsafe when survival once depended on vigilance, performance, and not being scared.

Winning feels like temporary relief from threat and worry, but it doesn't offer lasting safety or belonging.

Acceptance allows the ventral vagus to reengage, restoring connection, trust, and healing.

This is Part 2 of a series. You can read Part 1 here .

Despite years of daily practice in mindfulness , physical conditioning, spirituality , and emotional regulation , tennis player Novak Djokovic admits that he struggles with letting go. In a recent interview with Jay Shetty, Djokovic said, “I am actually reading this book on the power of surrendering and letting go. It’s an amazing book for me because of my upbringing and because of my character, and because of my