A new documentary entitled, “Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter,” will be released on Amazon Prime Video on Aug. 20, just before the 2026 U.S. Open, which begins Aug. 30 in N.Y., according to Danielle Lerner of USA TODAY. The documentary “chronicles Djokovic’s rise from war-torn Serbia to a winner of 24 Grand Slam titles” and features “interviews with Djokovic and his family as well as tennis greats Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Pete Sampras, Boris Becker and Jim Courier.” Djokovic “burst onto the scene at a time when men’s tennis singles was dominated by the rivalry between Nadal and Roger Federer.” Together, the trio became known as “The Big Three.” Despite Djokovic’s “undisputed success, he is seen as a divisive figure because of his emotional on-court outbursts and controversial opposition to the COVID-19 vaccination mandate.” The doc “examines Djokovic’s polarizing reputation.” Djokovic is the “latest tennis star to participate in a documentary about his life.” Last month, Netflix released the Nadal documentary “Rafa,” and in 2024, Federer was the “subject of a documentary about the closing chapter of his career.” Other tennis pros to appear on screen include Serena Williams, current world No. 3 Carlos Alcaraz and WTA No. 13 Naomi Osaka (USA TODAY, 7/14). THE ATHLETIC’s Ava Wallace writes that the feature-length documentary, which will be produced by Sadoux Productions and Words + Pictures, has a “lofty pedigree that includes director Jason Hehir, who also directed ‘The Last Dance,’ the acclaimed ESPN docuseries on Michael Jordan’s final season with the Chicago Bulls” (THE ATHLETIC, 7/14).
BACK IN THE GAME: In Minnesota, Neal Justin writes U.S. gymnast Suni Lee announced Tuesday that she’s “making a comeback, one that will be captured by cameras.” The untitled documentary is being “produced by Fanatics Studios, a newly launched sports-entertainment company.” Cookie Jar & A Dream Studios, which is “run by Dick’s Sporting Goods, is also involved.” No “release date or streaming service for the film has been announced.” Anna Chai is “set to direct.” She “previously worked on Anthony Bourdain’s TV shows and co-directed the docuseries, ‘Gutsy,’ featuring Hillary and Chelsea Clinton.” Lee will be an executive producer on the documentary (MINNESOTA STAR TRIBUNE, 7/14).
INSIDE THE RISE: FOX NEWS’ Ryan Gaydos writes pro wrestler Chris Jericho “showcases the rise of Vietnam Pro Wrestling (VPW)” in a documentary he produced called “Vietslam.” The doc “follows how pro wrestling fans in the country were able to convince the Vietnamese government to allow the sport to be featured in the country, starting from almost nothing to building a rabid audience.” Jericho explained that those involved with Vietnam Pro Wrestling had to “convince the Vietnamese government that pro wrestling was more like a dance routine rather than a combat sport like MMA.” The documentary will be released on Tuesday on Amazon Prime Video, Fandango, Hoopla and Local Now and Aug. 6 on Tubi (FOX NEWS, 7/14).
