Novak Djokovic admits how his wife surprised him ahead of travelling to Australia.
The Serbian commenced another season on the ATP Tour by travelling Down Under where he aims to play his best tennis at his most successful Grand Slam, the Australian Open.
2025 marks the first season that Djokovic will commence without a Grand Slam title since 2018, and he had a stiff challenge to overcome the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner.
But as always the case with the tennis icon he never backs down from a challenge and he has sights set firmly on another successful stint playing in Australia.
How did Novak Djokovic’s wife surprise him ahead of the Australian Open?
For many of the players on tour, Australia is one of the countries that takes the longest to travel to.
This is the case for Novak Djokovic, who is usually unable to travel Down Under with his wife Jelena as well as his two children.
But the 37-year-old was given a pleasant surprise when Jelena wanted to bring their children to Australia despite the long trip.
When asked whether he felt that having his family around could be a ‘secret weapon’, he said: “Yeah, I was actually a little bit surprised as well, my wife said she wanted to take the kids on the road and come to Australia.
“I wasn’t expecting that because I know it’s a long trip, school and everything. Many challenges that you have to face as a parent.
“I’m doing my own thing here. If I have a match day, I’m spending time getting ready for that match and everything. Obviously she has to take care of the kids.
“She’s here supporting me, trying to give me that love and energy, along with kids, that I need to play my best tennis. So far it’s working very well.
“I’m feeling great on the court. I’m playing great. It allows me to, first of all, not feel the guilt that I’m so far away for such a long time. I’ve been feeling that, I must admit, when I would travel to Australia in the previous years.
“I would be away for whatever, four, five weeks. Every time you have to separate with your kids and your wife, there’s a lot of tears involved. It’s not easy.”
Novak Djokovic shares how his children feel about being at the Brisbane International
Despite his many appearances in Australia, Djokovic is playing at the Brisbane International for just the second time in his career.
His last tournament in the city came in 2020, when he guided Serbian to victory in the ATP Cup. Five years later he is back for the ATP 250 event and this time he is joined by his son Stefan and daughter Tara.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion is thrilled to have his children with him in Australia and shared how they are enjoying their time in Brisbane.
“This makes it so much easier for me, obviously knowing going back home now they’re going to be there waiting for me. I’m more motivated. I am also more calm, more serene,” he added.
“I spend great quality time with them. It allows me to also not think about tennis 24/7, to have time where I can just release the tension and be really, yeah, involved in their time.
“It’s a great balance so far. Kids have been enjoying the tennis tournament. They know a few players they like to watch. Yeah, it’s been great.”
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