"Waiting in line for bread and milk every single morning at 5 AM" - Djokovic details difficult childhood

Monday, 30 January 2023 at 06:00

Updated at Monday, 13 January 2025 at 13:48

byErik Virostko

Novak Djokovic is always trying to give back to those who need it, and after his 10th Australian Open triumph, he dedicated a part of his speech to children in difficult life situations once again.

During the trophy ceremony, the 22-time Grand Slam champion used his platform to motivate children from Serbia and Greece, but also from all around the world, to keep working hard even if they don't have the perfect conditions to succeed.

After the match, he was interviewed by Somdev Devvarman for Sony Sports Network, and when he asked him about everything he does off-court, the Serbian answered:

"Well, I don't think anybody has ever said so many wonderful things about me and what I have done, Somdev. So thank you from the bottom of my heart my friend for mentioning these things."

"Look, you know, I don't do them because I want publicity. I do them because I feel I want to help, I want to be there for people who are less fortunate. I've come from Serbia in 90s where we've been through two wars, embargo for six years. For four years not one Serbian athlete was allowed to go out from the country to compete in international competitions."

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Djokovic then discussed his childhood more in detail, when he opened up about the difficulties that he faced and that he was never someone that would get something easily.

"And I was growing up in Serbia during that time, waiting in line for bread and milk every single morning at 5 AM with hundreds of people and my grandfather, so we could put the breads on the table for 5-6 member family to eat that day."

"I know how that feels like. I think that appreciation for everything that I have, that I have been blessed with, that has been given to me by life and by God is highly appreciated and more respected by me."

"So I always have this awareness that there's so, so many more people around the world that are much less fortunate and through my Foundation, through - you mentioned the tennis centre in Serbia - whatever I can, in whichever way possible, I try to be there for people. I know I don't do enough, I can always do more, but I do my best."