The Complete Sneaker History of Novak Djokovic

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1.

Today marks the start of the US Open 2012 at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in Flushing Meadows Park of Queens, New York City. The two week tournament is the last leg of the Grand Slam which includes the Australian Open, French Open, and Wimbleton. With rival Rafael Nadal out with a knee injury, Novak Djokovic is one-to-watch this year.

Since defeating Federer and Nadal at the Rogers Cup in 2007, Djokovic rapidly climbed the ranks to the former World No. 1 spot, currently 2nd with the following Grand Slam titles in his back pocket: the 2008, 2011, and 2012 Australian Open, the 2011 Wimbledon Championships, and the 2011 US Open. Back to defend his title, we take a look back at the Serbian pros' winning, albeit predictable, sneaker game.

Since turning pro in 2003, Djokovic can be spotted in head-to-toe adidas. But after the brand refused to extend his contract, he opted into a short-lived Sergio Tacchini contract but stuck with his former brand as the new sponsor did not offer footwear. A key moment in Djokovic's sneaker history includes a Serbian tribute colorway on his favored kicks, the adidas Barricades, in 2011. With a lacking brand presence compared to his competitors, the tennis player has been known to focus on the big win, while leaving his marketability to others. Despite this, Novak always looks fresh (all those victory poses help, too) on the court in a modern look, classic colors with pops of neon on wicking materials with aerodynamic lines, all to complement his extensive collection of adidas kicks.

Does Djokovic have a closet for Barricades only? We think so, take a look through to see The Complete Sneaker History of Novak Djokovic.

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2.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade IV "White/Black/Lime"
Event: Australian Open
Year: 2007

Djokovic lost to Federer in straight sets after ranking in the ATP's top 20 in the year prior. This matchup is the first of many these two have had throughout their ongoing rivalry. Look at this is one of the first times Nadal sported the Barricade IV's. This is in his all-in-adidas days, so matching colorways are key.

3.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade IV "White/Blue"
Event: Rogers Cup
Year: 2007

In Montreal, Djokovic defeated Andy Roddick, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer to win the tournament. This was the second time a player defeated the top three ranked players in a tournament, as well as the second time a player has defeated Nadal and Federer since they have become the top ranked performers.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade IV "White/Black/Lime"
Event: Pacific Life Open
Year: 2007

Novak took home a loss against Nadal at the Pacific Life Open though the matchup spring boarded him into the top 10 ATP rankings and started another rivalry.

4.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather III "Black/Silver"
Event: French Open
Year: 2007

A sneaker switch was made to the CC Feather III sneakers for the clay court. The ClimaCool technology and clay sole are meant to provide optimal comfort and moisture management on the rough court. Though Djokovic fell to Nadal in these sneakers, he became the number six rank after the tourney, slowly climbing the ATP Rankings.

5.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade IV "White/Metallic Silver"
Event: US Open
Year: 2007

Another court change meant another sneaker change as Djokovic throws on the lightweight Barricade IV's,The US Open was Djokovic's first Grand Slam final, which also happened to be the first for his home country, Serbia.

6.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade V "White/Metallic Silver"
Event: Australian Open
Year: 2008

Djokovic toppled Federer and Tsonga in the semifinals and finals, respectively, while debuting the featherweight Barricade V's. He earned his home country's first Grand Slam title, and became the youngest player to reach the semifinals in all four Majors.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade V "White/Silver"

Event: Barclays Dubai Tennis Championship
Year: 2008

Djokovic was the third favorite to win this tournament, especially after a successful Barricade V debut, though he lost in the semifinals to Andy Roddick.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade V "White/Silver"
Event: Pacific Open
Year: 2008

Mardy Fish faced off against Djokovic at the 2008 Pacific Open finals. Djokovic secured the victory in this Barricade V color way and won his ninth career singles title.

7.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather III "White/Lime/Black"
Event: ATP Masters Series
Year: 2008

Djokovic threw on the CC Feather III's one more time for the clay court to face off against rival, Federer, but retired due to a sore throat.

8.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather III "White/Lime/Black"
Event: French Open
Year: 2008

Once again, Djokovic loses against Nadal, but he continues to show his competitive spirit by consistently reaching the semifinals. This was the last time Djokovic played in these sneakers.

9.

Sneaker: Nike Air Max Breathe Cage II
Event: Wimbledon
Year: 2008

Djokovic switched out his Barricade V's for a pair of Air Max Breathe Cage II's at the start of the Wimbledon tournament. There was some speculation as to why he switched sneakers with traction being the central reason. It didn't help him much as he departed early from the tournament after losing to Marat Safin.

10.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade V "White/Black/Red"
Event: Beijing Summer Olympics
Year: 2008

Beijing was the host city for the 2008 Summer Olympics where Djokovic participated in his first Olympics for Serbia and took home the bronze medal.

11.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade V "Black/Gold"
Event: Tennis Masters Cup Shanghai
Year: 2008

Djokovic donned the sleek Black/Gold Barricade V color way as he took home his first Tennis Masters Cup finals victory.

12.

Sneaker: adidas CC Genius Novak "Navy/Orange"
Event: Davidoff Swiss Indoors
Year: 2009

The CC Genius Novak is Djoker's personalized sneaker from adidas complete with ClimaCool technology and lateral strips on his soles for better traction. The sneaker's ability to break-in quickly helped him defeat the odds on favorite, Federer, which was his fourth title victory of 2009.

13.

Sneaker: adidas CC Genius Novak "Navy/Orange"
Event: ATP World Tour Masters 1000 Paris
Year: 2009

Djoker laced up his preferred, broken-in Genius Novak's one more time in Paris and pulled through on a victory against Gael Monfils.

14.

Sneaker: adidas CC Genius II "White/Black"
Event: ABN AMRO World Tennis Tournament
Year: 2010

There was an early exit from Djokovic at the ABN AMRO Tournament after a quarterfinals loss. The same can be said for the CC Genius II. Though there was tournament misfortune, Djoker's ranking reached second place according to the ATP, his highest career ranking at that time.

15.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather IV "White/Silver"
Event: ATP World Tour Monte Carlo
Year: 2010

The CC Feather IV sneaker, an upgrade from the Feather III from two years prior, was debuted at Monte Carlo. Djoker has had bad luck on the clay court in this year as well as earlier in the year on other courts though the sneaker, made for all courts, thrives on the clay. This lead to him parting ways with then coach, Todd Martin.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather IV "White/Silver"
Event: French Open
Year: 2010

The early loss against Jurgen Melzer in the tournament baffled tennis enthusiasts that were prepared to watch Djokovic compete against Federer or Nadal. He unfortunately dropped to his number three ranking though this was the beginning of his turnaround.

16.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Black/Silver"
Event: US Open
Year: 2010

Djokovic defeated four competitors in straight sets before sending Federer packing after serving him his first loss in four attempts against Djokovic. The Thomas Weege designed Barricade VI's became Djoker's go-to shoe after this tournament due to its better midsole torsion system from prior Barricade sneakers and optimal support.

17.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "White/Silver/Red"
Event: Davidoff Swiss Indoors
Year: 2010

The Barricade VI's made a return to the hard court, but this time with six professionals. Djokovic was expected to recreate his US Open magic, but unfortunately, he could not secure a victory over Federer.

18.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom Red/Blue"
Event: Australian Open
Year: 2011

2011 was a huge year for Djokovic and the Barricade VI sneaker. He defeated another Barricade VI wearer, Andy Murray, to win his second Australian Open championship and his first tournament of the year. This was Djokovic's second tournament win in the Barricade VI's, but this time in a custom red and blue color way.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom Navy/White"
Event: BNP Paribas Open
Year: 2011

Djokovic managed to get revenge on Nadal by defeating him at the BNP Paribas Open and winning his third championship of the year (the second was in the Dubai Tennis Championships) and the third championship for the sneakers.

19.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom Red/Blue"
Event: Sony Ericsson Open
Year: 2011

Nadal and Djokovic competed yet again at the Sony Ericsson Open. Nadal was unable to get even against Djokovic for the year as Djokovic continued his tournament win streak in the Barricade VI's.

20.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather IV "White/Silver"
Event: Mutua Madrilena Madrid Open
Year: 2011

Djokovic slid his way to the number one ranking spot after he defeated Nadal in the finals. The CC Feather IV makes another return on the clay court with better luck this time around.

21.

Sneaker: adidas CC Feather IV "White/Silver"
Event: Internazionali BNL d'Italia
Year: 2011

The decisive victory over Nadal at the Rome Masters allowed for Djokovic to be the first player to qualify for the ATP World Tour Finals. He also managed to perfect his sliding in this sneaker.

22.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom White/Blue"
Event: Wimbledon
Year: 2011

Now on grass, Djokovic defeated Nadal in the Wimbledon finals and took the ATP number one ranking. The white color way here is another one of many customs.

23.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom Red"
Event: Rogers Cup
Year: 2011

At the finals of the Rogers Cup, Djokovic squared off against Mardy Fish and managed to win his fifth Masters, a personal best, in a primarily red custom color way.

24.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom Red/Blue"
Event: US Open
Year: 2011

Djokovic won his second US Open title in great fashion by defeating Federer in the semifinals and Nadal in finals, in a sweet blue on red custom Barricade VI's.

25.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom Red/Blue"
Event: Australian Open
Year: 2012

Djoker faced off against Andy Murray before taking on Nadal in the finals in another new color way. The finals match lasted over five hours and was the longest final match in Grand Slam history. Djokovic managed to snag the title.

26.

Sneaker: adidas Barricade VI "Custom White/Red"
Event: Sony Ericsson Open
Year: 2012

The Sony Ericsson Open lead the way to a Djokovic-Murray match-up which Djoker managed to win and earn his second title of this year and the 30th of his career.

27.

Sneaker: AdiPower Barricade "White/Silver"
Event: Rogers Cup
Year: 2012

Djokovic's debuted the Barricade 7 sneakers at his latest title victory against Richard Gasquet. The victory is his second this year and the 31st in his career. Djokovic is now ranked second after his loss in Cincinnati to Federer.