Growing up in war-torn Serbia taught Novak Djokovic to deal with adversity from a very young age.
It’s why Djokovic feels blessed, not cursed, that he’s had to fight Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, the two most prolific grand slam singles champions in the history of men’s tennis, for every piece of silverware he’s managed to accrue in his own remarkable career.
Taking refuge in bomb shelters when practise sessions in his ravaged homeland were abruptly interrupted prepared him well for battles much later with the two of the game’s colossal performers.
“There were a lot of things going on. It wasn’t that ordinary, I would say, with wars and difficult times while growing up,” Djokovic told AAP ahead of his latest Australian Open title tilt.
From where Djokovic has come from, tennis is not life and death and the birth of his first child, son Stefan, in October has given the world No.1 even greater perspective, as well as a different but added motivation.
Far from ruing having to jostle Federer and Nadal for grand slam spoils, the 27-year-old feels privileged to be playing in tennis’s so-called golden era.
“I believe that everything in life that you experience happens for a reason. I don’t believe in coincidences,” Djokovic said.
“So I am playing in the same era as Federer and Nadal for a reason and that reason was for me to really improve and get better on the court by playing against them.
“I remember in the first couple of years in my professional career I won my first grand slam at the Australian Open in 2008 and after that I struggled for several years.
“I had a lot of self-doubt, didn’t know if I could really make it.
“I lost most of the matches to Federer and Nadal in the major events.”
But Serbia, again, gave Djokovic the strength to overcome such doubts.
Djokovic said leading his country to its historic first Davis Cup title was the turning point of his career.
“I made that breakthrough at the end of 2010 and had my best year of tennis in my life in 2011, 40 wins in a row, which gave me wings and the confidence for where I am now and for the rest of my career,” he said.
“I definitely feel like being part of the era with these two guys helped me to become better, a better tennis player. No doubt.” After fearing he may finish as a one-slam wonder, Djokovic is now one win away from landing a record fifth Australian Open crown and joining Andre Agassi, Ivan Lendl, Jimmy Connors, Ken Rosewall and Fred Perry as an eight-times major champion.
Legends Federer (17), Nadal (14), Pete Sampras (14), Roy Emerson (12), Rod Laver (11), Bjorn Borg (11) and Bill Tilden (10) are the only other players ahead of him on the men’s all-time grand slam leaderboard.
“Grand slams are obviously the four biggest events we have in our sport,” Djokovic said.
“Winning a major allows you to be in the elite of tennis players. Not many have succeeded before you in winning a major.
“So I’m very blessed to be able to have seven majors so far and, at 27 years old, I feel I’m at the peak of my career at the moment with my physical and mental abilities.
“Hopefully I can use this time in capturing a few more.”
Standing in his way on Sunday night is Andy Murray, the Scot now firmly established among the Big Four and who first crossed paths with Djokovic well over a decade ago at junior tournament in Europe.
Set to clash in a third final at Melbourne Park in four years after the Serb took the trophy in 2011 and 2013, Djokovic and Murray are fast forging a special Federer-Nadal-like rivalry of their own.
Born seven days apart, Murray – who survived his own brush with tragedy by hiding as an eight-year-old in a primary school class room to escape the 1996 Dunblane massacre – honed his silky game on the clay courts of Barcelona, while Djokovic moved from Belgrade to train at the Niki Pilic Academy in Munich.
Djokovic flourished first, becoming the youngest man in the 47-year open era to reach the last four at all four slams before breaking through at Melbourne Park to win his maiden major at just 20.
Murray needed longer, losing his first four grand slam finals – all to Federer and Djokovic – before conquering Djokovic to ecstatically end Britain’s 77-year Wimbledon men’s singles drought in 2013.
Sunday will be the pair’s fifth grand slam final showdown, with Djokovic and Murray locked at two wins a piece.
“We’ve known each other since 11, 12. There is only week difference between us,” Djokovic said.
“We have very similar games and very similar roles in professional tennis. So I think that’s what makes it very special.”
But there will be no room for sentiment when Djokovic pushes friendship to the side in pursuit of yet more grand slam glory.
When war wasn’t raging, in the happy days when his humble parents flipped pancakes and baked pizzas in the Serbian mountains so their gifted son could play the game he loved, these were the moments Djokovic dreamed of.
He fantasised about winning Wimbledon, lifting the sport’s most treasured trophies, and he still does.
The seven-times major winner says he’s a long way from done.
“I’ve had a great career,” Djokovic said.
“I’m very satisfied. From where I came from to where I am now, it’s been an incredible road, an incredible adventure.
“But this is not where I stop.
“People mention Roland Garros, yes, this is one of my main priorities.
“It is the only grand slam I haven’t won. I do dream about it, there’s no question about it. But it happens in five months time.
“So I’m just thinking about the Australian Open for starters.”
