Djokovic Takes a Look Back Before Semis

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic opened up about his past before taking the court for the semi-finals at the BNP Paribas Open.

"It's hard to say what I felt as a kid," the Serb said. "I just remember I fell in love (with tennis) at the first sight."

Djokovic said it was like destiny he picked up a racquet, because in his family nobody played.

"They were all professional skiers or soccer players or something else, you know," Djokovic said.

Djokovic is trying to win his 11th ATP Masters 1000 tournament and third title in Indian Wells, and said he's still in contact with his old coach Serbian tennis legend Jelena Gencic.

"She has had an incredible effect on my career, and she has learned me all the basics of the tennis," Djokovic said. "I always go back to her and share the success that I had and remembering those moments in the childhood when we were starting to play tennis." 

"She was one of the very few people, including my family, that actually believed in me, that believed that I could be the best and I could be, you know, a Grand Slam winner," Djokovic recalled.

Gencic, now in her 70s, is still coaching tennis in Serbia.

Djokovic will face American John Isner in the first of two semi-finals Saturday at 11 a.m. The Serbian holds a 2-0 lifetime advantage over Isner.