Tennis: World number one Novak Djokovic talks about his upbringing

Novak Djokovic talking during an interview in Belgrade on March 1, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS
Novak Djokovic talking during an interview in Belgrade on March 1, 2015. -- PHOTO: REUTERS

BELGRADE (Reuters) - An uphill Spartan lifestyle which has moulded Novak Djokovic into the world's top tennis player was preceded by a passion for skiing, which remains one of the greatest joys in his life, the 27-year old Serb told Reuters Television in an interview on Sunday.

"So I do come from a family that nurtures a skiing culture. I grew up on a mountain. Before I hit my first tennis ball I was already on the slopes with the skis, so skiing today still stays my biggest passion, probably of all sports," Djokovic said during the interview in Belgrade.

Even though I love tennis with all my heart, it's number one sport, but I still feel that is no better feeling than when you are on the skis and go down the slope, down the mountain, it's such a powerful feeling."

"I love it but you know there was a time in my life when I was around ten, eleven, when I had to decide between the two sports because I was strongly considering skiing but my father, never pushed me really to do anything what he wanted me to do, but you know he allowed me to have the freedom to choose and I choose tennis and the end came up to be a good decision," he said with a smile.

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