The 2024 season was bittersweet for Novak Djokovic. The tennis player from Belgrade did not win any tournament ATP Tour – including the Grand Slam – but in Paris he won the Olympic gold medal. This was the only laurel missing in his career. The 37-year-old is already a 100% fulfilled athlete, but he will still fight for more.
Djokovic's wife suddenly packed her bags. “I don't feel guilty”
Djokovic in the upcoming Australian Open will fight for his 25th Grand Slam triumph. He will try to do it in Melbourne, where he has already won ten times, but last year he lost in halffinal with Jannik Sinner. It was his first defeat in this event since 2018.
The Serb decided to slightly change his preparations for this year's Australian Open and for the first time in five years he appeared in the previous ATP 250 event in Brisbane. He was eliminated in the quarterfinals, losing 6:7 (6), 3:6 to Reilly Opelka. It turns out that this is not the only new thing on Djokovic's schedule.
The tennis player's wife – Jelena Djokovic – decided to pack her bags and, with her children, traveled to Australia with Novak, which had not happened before. – For the first time, my family came with me – my children and wife are here. I was a little surprised too. My wife said she wanted to take the children and that we should all come to Australia. I didn't expect it because I know it's a long journey, plus school and everything else. As a parent, you have to face many challenges, Djokovic said.
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Competing in Australia would mean a month-long separation from his family, which the tennis player wanted to avoid, as he has repeatedly admitted that in his advanced age it is increasingly difficult for him to leave home. – Of course I have my own schedule. If I have a match, I only prepare for it, and Jelena takes care of the children. You can see that he supports me, gives me all the love and energy, together with the children, so that I have to play my best in tennis. I feel great on the court. First of all, I don't feel guilty for being so far away. I felt this every time I was in Australia. I was gone for four or five weeks. It's always difficult when you have to be separated from your children and wife, the 24-time Grand Slam champion continued.
– It's much easier for me because I know they are waiting for me at home. Now I am more motivated, but also calmer. I spend a lot of quality time with them, which allows me not to think about tennis 24/7, so I can let go and the tension leaves me. I am included in their lives, he concluded.
The Australian Open 2025 will start on January 12.