Novak Djokovic Reveals Message He Would Give to His Seven-Year-Old Self

Serb superstar Novak Djokovic has opened up on the message that he would have for his seven-year-old self.

Djokovic, who started playing tennis at the age of seven in war-torn Serbia, has seen many records fall by the wayside in his ascent to greatness.

Novak Djokovic broke Roger Federer’s record of staying Number 1 for 310 straight weeks

The Serb clinched an unprecedented ninth Australian Open title this year, taking his career haul of Grand Slam trophies to 18 arching ever closer to peers Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal who are currently sitting top with 20 championship wins apiece.

In yet another significant career landmark, Djokovic broke Federer’s record of staying World Number 1 for 310 straight weeks, on Monday.

However, even after writing himself into the annals of the game, the Serb continues to gun for glory with the same zeal and passion as he did in his twenties.

Chrissy, a global sports presenter for CNN, has shared a snatch for a podcast with the Serb where he shares the message for his seven-year-old self.

Novak Djokovic said he’d advise his seven-year-old self to keep dreaming as “everything is possible”

“Dreams are achievable, everything is possible,” the Serb said in reply to her question.

He revealed playing for an “improvised Wimbledon trophy” as a seven-year-old, adding that he often looked into the mirror telling himself that he was the best player in the world.

He said that he imagined himself to be the Wimbledon champion and it was a dream that burned bright in him as he turned professional.

Djokovic said he was also fortunate to have received the unstinted love and support from his parents who, despite living through a dark phase of war and conflict, helped their son realize his dream.

Novak Djokovic reveals how his parents braved war, hardship to make him the player he is

“I am very fortunate in my life to have parents who are very strong, in the midst of war and all the hardship that we were living through in the nineties,” the Serb said.

He added that it was the “unconditional love and support” of his parents that made it possible to excel in tennis, which is not even a traditional sport in his country.

The Serb said his parents bought him racquets and provided him “conditions” that were “good enough” for him to grow into a “professional tennis player”.

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Djokovic suffered an abdominal muscle tear midway into his Australian Open campaign but showed remarkable grit and courage to go the distance and eventually come out a winner.