"My parents suffered a lot just to be able to eat, that gives you perspective" - Djokovic on his humble attitude

| by Zlatko Vodenicharov

Novak Djokovic did not have the easiest of childhoods and he often talked about it because he maintains a humble approach to many things in life.

At the Tel Aviv Open, Djokovic was recently questioned about his early years, and once again he spoke honestly and without trying to conceal anything. It makes him very proud since, in his opinion, it helped shape the man he is now.

"I think it has a lot to do with the environment I grew up in. As I have told before, I grew up in the 90's in Serbia, with wars, sanctions and difficult times to live. My parents suffered a lot just to be able to eat. I have been lucky to belong to this sport, which is not cheap. I fell in love with tennis and my parents helped me, even though it was extremely difficult for them."

Novak Djokovic topples Marin Cilic in Tel Aviv Open final
Novak Djokovic topples Marin Cilic in Tel Aviv Open final

Those difficult times make it easy for Djokovic to appreciate the finer things in life as he knows that reality can be quite harsh:

"It comes from appreciating life and these kinds of circumstances, knowing what it feels like to have nothing and then have so much in life. That gives you perspective to respect everything that comes with a more positive and humble attitude. It's not always something that helps me, but it makes it prevail when I use it."

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