Novak Djokovic is driving Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal to breaking point

Novak Djokovic has begun the year with the perfect momentum, winning his first Grand Slam - the Australian Open - in which he dumped world champions and title holder Roger Federer, and continuing to hold his form.

Some notable observers have marked Djokovic down as a player with remarkable ability, which is not surprising when you consider that he spent years at the acclaimed academy of Nikola Pilic in Munich, and began his international career at the tender age of 14 – winning European junior championships in singles, doubles and in team events.

In 2005 his senior international career began with competitions in all major Grand Slams, reaching the third rounds at Wimbledon and the US Open. He won half of all his matches, and finished the year in the top 100 men in the world.

In 2006 he came of age, participating in the Hopman Cup with fellow Serbian Ana Ivanovic, and narrowly missed the final. He reached the quarter-finals of the French Open, and made the fourth round at Wimbledon. Shortly after, he won his maiden title in Amersfoort, which propelled him into the top 20.