Melbourne: All-conquering Novak Djokovic said a turbulent childhood where he had to queue for milk and bread in war-torn Serbia made him hungry for success, after he fought back to win his eighth Australian Open. Djokovic, 32, needed to dig deep to rally from two sets to one down for the first time in a Grand Slam final and battle past fifth-seeded Austrian Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. The win lifted him past Rafael Nadal to the World No. 1 spot in the latest ATP rankings published on Monday.

Meanwhile, Sofia Kenin's rise to a career-high seventh in the world after her surprise Australian Open triumph was confirmed Monday. Djokovic's eighth victory in eight finals at Melbourne Park handed him a 17th Major to move within three of Roger Federer's all-time 20. Asked how he managed to keep winning in pressure situations, Djokovic said it stemmed from his early life. "My upbringing was in Serbia during several wars in the '90s, difficult time, embargo in our country where we had to wait in line for bread, milk, water, some basic things in life," he said.