Novak Djokovic recently arrived in Shanghai for his 11th campaign at the ATP 1000 Masters tournament. The 24-time slam king will look to extend his all-time record at a venue where he has already been crowned champion six times. At 38, the Serbian wants to prove he can still win titles. To achieve that, he is leaving no stone unturned with non-stop practice. However, the former World No.1 has also sparked buzz online for the stylish black glasses he was seen wearing during training drills.
Novak Djokovic & visual training — what’s new?
The Tennis Channel on Instagram recently shared a clip, dated October 3, which is quickly going viral. Captioned “He’s been in the lab 😳🥽”, it shows the Serbian in a reflex-oriented training session with his team. But what immediately catches the eye is the alleged tech device Djokovic is wearing — a pair of black glasses.
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The Serbian is seen practicing ball-catching drills at different intervals while wearing them. Although his team has not released any official information, one can still get an idea of what these visual training devices are meant for. Multiple eyewear products are now available for athletes across sports, and they are claimed to improve focus, attention, and performance.
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Why Novak Djokovic wears black glasses in training
As of now, there is no official explanation for why Djokovic wore the black glasses in Shanghai. However, the clip suggests he may have used them to sharpen his ability to read the ball at varying speeds during matches. He might also be looking to improve his spatial awareness on court.
Neuro training has become an increasingly important tool for athletes aiming to extend their careers. That could be a reason behind Djokovic’s choice. For instance, NBA stars LeBron James and Stephen Curry have both used neuro training tools to boost their mental performance and, in turn, their basketball skills.
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James has been spotted using the Calm meditation app to improve focus, while Curry has relied on strobe glasses to enhance his shooting accuracy. These glasses “block the wearer’s sight in all or part of the field of view,” creating a visual challenge. As a result, Curry was able “to make quicker decisions with limited visual input.”
Benefits of wearing black glasses for tennis players
When it comes to tennis glasses, NeuroTracker claims their devices can sharpen reactions and decision-making. Players can adjust positioning and shot selection in real time. According to studies cited by NeuroTracker, training with these glasses improved reaction time and decision-making accuracy by 25 percent, allowing players to perform better under pressure.
Another benefit is improved court vision and spatial awareness. As NeuroTracker explains, their device “improves depth perception and tracking ability, helping players anticipate shot placement.” Cognitive training studies found that better spatial awareness reduced reaction time errors by 40 percent, thereby improving both shot placement and defensive positioning.
These glasses are also said to enhance sustained focus and mental toughness, particularly in long matches. Studies on cognitive endurance have shown that NeuroTracker’s glasses can reduce mental fatigue, enabling athletes to maintain high-level concentration for longer durations.
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This isn’t the first time Djokovic has turned to technology to gain an edge. He previously spent $75,000 on mind-body recovery sessions inside an egg-like chamber. Even during last month’s US Open, he used a sci-fi-style $160,000 “secret room” that reportedly resets players’ minds and bodies in just 25 minutes.
Djokovic will open his campaign against ATP veteran Marin Čilić. It will be interesting to see whether his latest training tools give him an extra edge. On paper, though, he shouldn’t face much trouble — Djokovic leads their head-to-head 19-2. This will also mark their first meeting in three years.