"I was 12 when we had bombings for two and a half months day and night": Novak Djokovic still has a 'little bit of trauma' from Kosovo War

Novak Djokovic recently opened up during an interview with The Today Show about the inner trauma he still feels surrounding his childhood memories of the Kosovo War and that hearing the bombs going off for two months day and night certainly strengthened his resolve but also left a lasting mark.

Areas of the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia were bombed by NATO for more than two months from March 24 - June 10 in the year of 1999 with NATO carrying out the attacks during the Yugoslavian forces and Kosovo Albanian rebel group warfare that began in 1998. More than 10,000 people were reportedly killed in the war. Djokovic was in his pre-teens when this broke out and he was asked by Today Show host, Karl Stefanovic about the horrific experiences.

"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," said Djokovic.
"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."
"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."