Djokovic, Jay Shetty chat about serving their purpose

On Friday, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic and motivational speaker Jay Shetty closed out the week on a meaningful note—just a day after Djokovic held a controversial Instagram Live session.

Shetty and Djokovic discussed their journeys and serving others in front of thousands of fans tuning in.

"I saw myself early on being very different than anyone else around me," Shetty said.

The motivational speaker opened up how growing up in England and being submerged in the Indian culture didn't make it easy for him to follow his interests. The Brit was told by his parents that he only had three options: doctor, lawyer or failure.

One day, a teenage Shetty reluctantly agreed to go with a friend to hear a monk speak only if they went to a bar afterwards. The day would shift Shetty's entire mindset and purpose in life.

“The best moments of your life are the most humbling," Shetty said. The then-18-year-old realized that he had come across people who were famous, wealthy and talented, but none of them were happy. He would uproot his life in England to live his life as a monk for three years.

"What made you do that step, or make that decision to do the monk life, what attracted you to monk life rather than modern, contemporary life?" Djokovic asked.

It wasn't to be more inquisitive or have more depth, it was for self-mastery with a desire to help others. Shetty who now has nearly 6 million Instagram followers, said that this is still a work in progress and compared serving others to tennis.

"You don’t become the best tennis player in life by just practicing on Sunday morning," Shetty said. “You have to make it a lifestyle.”

Shetty began spending five hours a day editing videos and hitting the streets of London to film content and interview popular figures and athletes.

"You gave me the opportunity to show people that athletes are doing so much work in the background that people don’t see," Shetty told Djokovic.

The 17-time Grand Slam champion happened to be one of the first athletes Shetty spoke to on his podcast years ago.

Djokovic has also connected with a greater purpose beyond winning titles.

"Most of my visualization was going towards winning trophies and accomplishing my dreams," the Serbian said.

But while winning 17 majors, the world No. 1 realized his passion is fueled by a purpose, and that's to tell his story and inspire others.

“I see it as a platform where I’m able to grow," Djokovic said. “The tennis court for me in a way is a battlefield and a classroom—it allows me to share my passion with others."

Before ending the over-one-hour long conversation, the two participated in a three-minute mediation led by Shetty. Using sound, visualization and breathing exercises they both focused on the present.

“This has been such a wonderful conversation," Shetty said. "We are so different in what we do but so aligned in our heart."