Growing up, Novak Djokovic was accustomed to bombings in war-torn Serbia. Now, he's the #1 tennis player in the world.
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00:00I do feel young, I do feel fresh, I do feel fit, I don't think about age, I don't think about any limits.
00:30This is where I had some of my first tennis hits.
00:44The holes that you see and the walls are the consequence of the bombs during bombings.
01:00I was born and raised in a small but proud country that has gone through difficult times
01:11in the last decades.
01:14It was during that period of hardship that sports became an integral part of my life.
01:20Everything changed for me when I saw Pete Sampras triumph at Wimbledon.
01:25He became my idol.
01:27I dreamt of being just like him, the number one tennis player in the world.
02:27Obviously, 2011 has been the best year so far in my career and it's going to be very
02:43difficult to repeat what I have done, but look, I've done it once, why not twice?
02:57I believe that we as tennis players, as athletes who are part of such a global sport, need
03:09to feel responsibility to return to the people who need help, especially kids, and to contribute
03:17to the social programs as much as we can.
03:31Right now, I'm trying to take the free time out of the official season, without any tournaments
03:38in these few weeks, and to come here in Serbia to visit my family and close friends, and
03:44of course be a part of humanitarian work that is very important to me and my career.
04:02Being a role model for my children brings more responsibility also on the tennis court
04:09for me because I know that they will be more aware watching.
04:39I'm blessed to be able to win 15.
05:02I know there are two guys ahead of me now in history of the most slams won, but I still
05:08have time, I'm not rushing.
05:20Believing that higher energy in the soul is going to give you the right answer, because
05:27essentially we all are looking for love, happiness, and harmony.
05:46Been 12 months ago on the surgery table, so I hope that that was the last surgery that
05:51I ever had.
05:52For several months I was experiencing some really challenging and difficult moments mentally
06:00on the court, where I was questioning everything and really doubting as well.
06:23I always rely on my faith and try to be grateful and understanding of a creator and a greater
06:33power and universal help that we all receive.
06:38So I try to remind myself of that, of how blessed I am, and not take things for granted.