Pete Sampras was Novak Djokovic's greatest tennis inspiration as a child and the Serbian world number two was in disbelief when he finally met the American earlier this week.

Djokovic caught up with the 14-times grand slam champion and had a brief conversation with him shortly after Sampras had practised with Roger Federer at nearby La Quinta.

"I was very happy to meet Pete, who is my lifetime idol," Djokovic told reporters after battling past Germany's Philipp Kohlschreiber 6-3 2-6 7-6 at the Indian Wells ATP tournament on Monday.

"When the kid meets an idol, I surprised myself. I thought: 'It's not going to be a big deal. I'm on the tour for many years. I'm grown up.' But it was incredible, you know.

"I mean, you looked up to somebody and then you meet him and shake hands with him, and he tells you that you win with your mind and your heart," said the Serb.

"I fulfilled my childhood dreams because he's the one who gave me a lot of motivation to become a professional player. I saw him winning Wimbledon when I was four, five years old."

Sampras was one of the best serve-and-volley players of all time but Djokovic said the American's mental strength had given him the greatest inspiration.

"Definitely his commitment and mental mindset, the way he approaches matches, tournaments," the Serb said.

"He's just one of the biggest ever that played this game."