Novak Djokovic made the right choice and is living with his decision

More than just a tennis player, Djokovic's holistic approach to life is proving its worth on the court as he prepares for the Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, writes Gary Mennaghan.

World No 1 Novak Djokovic of Serbia faces Canadian Vasek Pospisil in the first round on Tuesday in Dubai. Michael Dodge / Getty Images

He may be an eight-time grand slam title champion and the reigning world No 1 but, in an alternate reality, Novak Djokovic’s career could easily have been headed downhill before it had even begun.

Growing up in Serbia, a nine-year-old Djokovic would split his time between tennis and taking to nearby ski slopes with his father.

Naturally, having competed in regional races, he began to question the future: should he follow his father’s preference of professional skiing or take on the challenge of trying to prosper with a racquet?

Djokovic, 27, has amassed $75 million (Dh275.5m) since turning pro in 2003 so it was no surprise that, while speaking ahead of this week’s Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships, he deadpanned: “I don’t think we made the wrong decision.”

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The Serbian – who still skis after having insisted the traditional prohibitory clause not be included in his contract – has reached the men’s final in 13 of the past 18 grand slam ­tournaments.

He has been ranked No 1 since last July, as part of 134 weeks in total at the top, and in Melbourne last month beat Andy Murray in four sets to claim a record fifth Australian Open title.

“I’m very proud of what I’ve achieved so far in my career, but as a 27 year old I feel like there are still a few more years in my legs and in my head,” Djokovic said. “As long as I have this drive and desire to play and the commitment to practise and [do] activities that make me a better player I will continue playing.

“People emphasise winning – not just in sports, but life in general – but for me it’s more about having this true love and passion towards the sport.

“If I’m able to sustain that over a long period of time I believe results will come as a consequence of that pure emotion; of playing the sport I fell in love with the first time I held a racquet in my hands.”

Djokovic, who is chasing a fifth Dubai title, could meet Murray this week for the first time since Melbourne, but it would require both men to reach the final after the draw placed Murray in the same half as No 2 seed Roger Federer.

Murray faces Gilles Muller of Luxembourg at the Aviation Club on Tuesday, while Djokovic faces Canadian Vasek Pospisil.

The past 12 months have been especially fruitful for Djokovic, who was married on July 10 and became a father three months later.

While adapting to fatherhood has proved challenging, the 2010 Davis Cup winner is benefiting from the guidance of coach, friend and former world No 1 Boris Becker, who has travelled with him to Dubai this week.

Becker and Djokovic started working together in December 2013 and have since won Wimbledon and the Australian Open while also reaching the final of the French Open. Yet the relationship only really blossomed in the second half of last season with the arrival of Djokovic’s son, Stefan.

“We have had similar careers because he became a father when he was 26 or 27, so we have talked about that a lot. We still want to achieve a lot – it’s only the beginning,” Djokovic said.

He said that father-of-four Federer remains the ultimate example of balancing work and life. “A baby is not easy to handle but it is possible,” Djokovic said. “Roger is probably the best example because we are talking about one baby and he has four, so he is a great example of how you can keep on playing at a high level and still be a father.”

At times in Melbourne, Djokovic looked indomitable and a good week in the Emirates would further strengthen the belief that the elusive French Open trophy might be ready to leave the Parisian clay enveloped in the Serbian’s arms. His contented life, he said, is sure to stand him in good stead.

“I know no one can be perfect, but there are always a few elements you can improve,” he said. “I try to have a holistic approach to everything I do. It’s something that I worked on over the years.

“The bottom line is that really it’s the psychological effect that brings you to where you want to be. It’s not just your mindset on court, but everything you do off the court – your philosophy in life.”

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