Novak Djokovic is one of the most successful tennis players of all time, with 20 Grand Slam titles and a legion of fans around the world. But did you know that there are some surprising facts about the Serbian superstar that you may not be aware of? From his childhood to his personal life, this article will reveal some unexpected details about Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic was born during a NATO bombing raid

Novak Djokovic was born on May 22, 1987, in Belgrade, Serbia, during a bombing raid by NATO forces. His parents, Srdjan and Dijana, were both professional skiers, but they gave up their careers to support their son's tennis dreams. Despite the difficult circumstances of his birth, Djokovic has gone on to become one of the greatest tennis players of all time.

He started playing tennis at the age of four

Novak Djokovic's love for tennis started at a very young age. He was only four years old when he picked up a tennis racket for the first time. His parents, who were both professional skiers, recognized his talent and decided to support his passion for tennis. Djokovic started playing in local tournaments at the age of six and quickly gained a reputation as a prodigy. By the time he was a teenager, he was already competing in international tournaments and making a name for himself in the tennis world.

Djokovic is a polyglot, speaking five languages fluently

Novak Djokovic is not only a tennis superstar, but he is also a polyglot. He can speak five languages fluently, including Serbian, English, German, Italian, and French. Djokovic's ability to speak multiple languages has helped him connect with fans from all over the world and has also helped him communicate with fellow players on the tour. In fact, he often conducts interviews in multiple languages, which has earned him a reputation as one of the most multilingual players on the tour.

He is a philanthropist, founding the Novak Djokovic Foundation to support early childhood education

Novak Djokovic is not just a tennis superstar, but also a philanthropist. In 2007, he founded the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which aims to support early childhood education in Serbia and other countries. The foundation has built and renovated over 40 schools and kindergartens, providing education and resources to thousands of children. Djokovic has also donated millions of dollars to various charitable causes, including disaster relief efforts and medical research. His dedication to giving back to his community and making a positive impact on the world is truly inspiring.

Djokovic is a vegan and credits his plant-based diet for his success on the court

One surprising fact about Novak Djokovic is that he follows a strict plant-based diet. In fact, he has been a vegan since 2011 and credits his diet for his success on the court. Djokovic believes that his plant-based diet has helped him improve his overall health, increase his energy levels, and recover faster from injuries. He even wrote a book about his diet called "Serve to Win: The 14-Day Gluten-Free Plan for Physical and Mental Excellence." Despite facing criticism from some who believe that a vegan diet is not suitable for athletes, Djokovic continues to prove that it is possible to achieve greatness while following a plant-based lifestyle.

So in the end Novak Djokovic is a truly remarkable athlete and humanitarian. He has achieved great success on the tennis court, but he is also a kind and compassionate person who is dedicated to making a difference in the world. Djokovic is an inspiration to us all, and he shows us that anything is possible if we set our minds to it.