The maverick West Indies' wicketkeeper-batsman hit eight sixes in his 29-ball 75 to set-up a comfortable win over the pre-tournament favourites
Having exchanged a few shots with a young prospect after an intense training session in searing heat at his own tennis complex in central Belgrade, the 30-year old Serb conceded that the last 18 months have been testing.
"I have always believed in myself and that's why I was able to make all my childhood dreams come true, but right now my confidence is not at the highest level," he told reporters.
"That's not surprising given the lack of results and all I can do is knuckle down to hard work to restore it. A few good matches and one good tournament and it will come back."
Djokovic's slump began after he won his maiden French Open title in June 2016 to complete a career slam and amass 12 major honours.
A string of below-par performances were followed by Djokovic having to retire against Czech Tomas Berdych in last year's Wimbledon quarterfinals with an elbow injury which kept him sidelined until January's Australian Open.
After a last 16 defeat by South Korean upstart Hyeon Chung in Melbourne, Djokovic had another spell on the sidelines following elbow surgery and said he had come back too early because he was hungry to play again.
Since returning he has suffered early exits in Barcelona, Monte Carlo, Miami and Indian Wells.
"That was my decision because I missed playing tennis so much but I was not ready and it backfired," he said. "After everything I have been through in the past year or so, I have had to lower my expectations but my motivation and my ambitions remain unchanged.
"After this year's Australian Open I wasn't sure whether I'd have elbow surgery or not. I was reluctant but then I realised it was the best long-term solution.
"The recent results have not been what we are used to but coming back is a process and all I can do now is knuckle down to some hard work.
"I have had some similar situations in the past but not one quite as challenging as this, so I have to accept it as part of a learning process."
Judging by the ferocity of his shots in training and the vehement exchange of instructions with his coaching staff, Djokovic, currently the world number 12, is determined to break back into the top echelon of the men's game.
Mobbed by primary school children as he posed with them for photos after the claycourt practice session, Djokovic cut a relaxed and confident figure ahead of upcoming tournaments.
He also rubbished suggestions made by several local nutritionists, who were quoted by Belgrade media in recent weeks, that his meat-free diet was hampering his fitness.
"I don't want to elaborate because people have been twisting facts in the past two years and all I'll say is that I reckon I know what's best for me as an athlete and a person," he said.
"It doesn't affect me what people say, but it does affect those who are close to me."
The maverick West Indies' wicketkeeper-batsman hit eight sixes in his 29-ball 75 to set-up a comfortable win over the pre-tournament favourites
Bengaluru needs to win the match by at least 18 runs if they score a minimum of 200 runs batting first or win in 18.1 overs if they are chasing 200
Dubai's Crown Prince wished joy and thanked the club in a post on X on Friday
The poolside show featuring the work of Moroccan designer Yasmina Qanzal took place as part of Red Sea Fashion Week
The quake struck at 9.57pm UAE time, at a depth of 5km
Abu Dhabi Police has called on drivers to be careful and use alternative routes
Official says the bomb blast happened after a militant group demanded extortion money from the group that runs the school
He accuses sports bodies of not allowing Russian athletes to perform at the games with the country's banner, flag and national anthem