“When I hear fireworks, it reminds me of bombs exploding”: Novak Djokovic says he ‘still has a little bit of trauma’ from growing up during Kosovo War

Novak Djokovic recently stated that he still suffered from the horrific childhood memories of the Kosovo War.

Several areas of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were bombed by the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) for more than two months in the year 1999, from March 24 to June 10. NATO carried out the attacks in response to the warfare between the Yugoslavian forces and the Kosovo Albanian rebel group, which began on February 28, 1998. More than 10,000 people were reportedly killed during the war.

Djokovic (born in 1987) was in his pre-teens when the clash broke out, and he lived through the violence. In a recent episode of The Today Show, host Karl Stefanovic asked the Serb whether the experiences of the war strengthened him mentally.

"It could be, I don’t know to what extent but there’s definitely some connection and link to my upbringing. I was 12 when we had bombings for two and a half months day and night," the Serb replied. (at 2:00)

Stefanovic further questioned Djokovic if the memories still bothered him. The 36-year-old replied:

"Ah, at times it appears, mostly when I hear fireworks, when I hear that sound, it really reminds me of those bombs exploding so it’s not really super pleasant but you know still have a little bit of trauma."

Djokovic continued:

"Going back to your question, I think it is connected to that, the grit, the resilience, the never giving up spirit. I think it surfaces normally in the moments when it’s either break it or make it."

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Novak Djokovic enters 410th week as the World No. 1

Novak Djokovic

On Monday, January 29, Novak Djokovic entered his 410th week as the World No. 1 in men's tennis.

He reached the top spot for the first time on July 4, 2011, and held the position for 53 weeks till July 8, 2012. He was overtaken by Roger Federer on July 9, but he reclaimed the place on November 5, 2012. The Serb was then dethroned by Rafael Nadal on October 7, 2013.

However, Djokovic reached the top again on July 7, 2014, and remained on top for a staggering 122 weeks until November 6, 2016. He regained the ATP's top rank on November 5, 2018 after recovering from the slump of form due to elbow complications, and kept the spot for 52 weeks.

The 36-year-old's current streak as the World No. 1 has entered the 21st consecutive week. He took over the pole position from Carlos Alcaraz on September 11, 2023.