Novak Djokovic has recalled the ‘horror’ of his childhood ahead of his last clash with Rafael Nadal on Saturday.
The 37-year-old grew up in war-torn Serbia, something he’s discussed openly in the past.
Djokovic has now revealed how scared he was as a youngster, admitting that he and his family constantly feared bombs being dropped from the skies.
Speaking to La Nacion, he said: “It’s a horror. The worst thing anyone can experience. It’s the fear of the unknown. Not knowing if the next bomb is going to hit your head.
Novak Djokovic has recalled the ‘horror’ of his childhood ahead of his last clash with Rafael Nadal on Saturday
GETTY
“And so it was every day, the alarms, the sirens that woke us up every night when the planes were approaching.”
Djokovic then proceeded to recall a specific memory from 1999.
He was aged just 12 at the time and says his mother struck her head on a heater and was knocked unconscious while they sought shelter in the basement.
“I remember my mother one night… because you’re sleeping and in the middle of the night you wake up because you hear the siren and you have to grab a bag and go down to the basement of the building to try to take shelter,” he added.
JUST IN:Wayne Rooney ‘worried about wife Coleen’ going on I’m A Celeb due to past scandals
“The first time it happened, my mother got up in the dark, because we all slept together, we didn’t know what was going to happen and we cried every night.
“And she hit her head against the heater and was knocked unconscious.
“So it’s 3 in the morning and my father has his wife unconscious.
“I was 12 years old, and my younger brothers, 8 and 4, were crying. There was total panic.”
READ MORE: Mike Tyson replacement plan takes shape as Jake Paul sent three-word message to save fight
Despite his traumatic childhood, Djokovic has established himself as arguably the best tennis player of all time.
He has a staggering 24 Grand Slams to his name, two more than Nadal and four more than Roger Federer.
Djokovic is keen to stress that he wouldn’t wish his childhood on anyone. The horrors of war, after all, are unparalleled.
But he does feel it has helped shape him into the tennis sensation he is today.
LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Novak Djokovic has revealed his mother was knocked unconscious one night when he was growing up in war-torn Serbia
GETTY
“But it’s an experience that strengthened us as a family, as people,” he said.
“And I say it again: I don’t wish it on anyone. I want to make it very clear: I don’t think anyone should suffer through war to develop mental strength, there are other ways to do it.
“But for me it was a very important part of my development and as a small child I was forced to grow up.”
Novak Djokovic will face Rafael Nadal for the last time on Saturday night
GETTY
Djokovic and Nadal will meet for the 61st time on Saturday.
The Serb has won 31 of their showdowns, while his rival has 29 victories to his name.
Their last meeting came at the Paris Olympics earlier in the year, with Djokovic beating Nadal on his way to securing gold.