Novak Djokovic, after more than two decades as a professional, is finally experiencing the day he has always dreamed of. Throughout his career, the Serbian tennis player has achieved numerous records and won multiple titles, but an Olympic gold medal has always eluded him. Despite facing challenges and setbacks this season, Djokovic has made a remarkable comeback and is now eagerly anticipating his showdown with Carlos Alcaraz in the finals. However, none of this would have been possible without the unwavering support of his wife, Jelena.
In 2018, Djokovic found himself at a crossroads in his tennis career. Plagued by elbow issues and a string of defeats, the 12-time Grand Slam champion contemplated quitting the sport altogether. Mark Hodgkinson, the author of “Searching for Novak,” revealed that Djokovic confided in his support team, expressing his belief that his career had reached its end. He proceeded to inform his agents, sponsors, and team members about his decision to retire.
In an attempt to clear his mind and find solace, Djokovic embarked on a vacation with his wife, Jelena, and their son, Stefan. During this time away from the tennis court, Jelena decided to revisit her own days as a player and spontaneously engaged in a few practice sessions with an old ball machine. Hodgkinson recounted the experience, stating that initially, Djokovic showed little interest. However, on the third or fourth day, something changed. He appeared on the court, dressed casually in shorts, flip flops, and a t-shirt, and rediscovered the joy of the game. “This is fun,” he thought, reigniting his passion for tennis, as shared by Hodgkinson with Tennis Majors.
At the conclusion of this extraordinary vacation, the Serbian player made the decision to reverse his choice of giving up and arrived with proper tennis attire to resume playing seriously. To everyone’s surprise, he emerged victorious at Wimbledon that same year. Both the crowd at Centre Court and the entire tennis community understood the challenges he had faced just a few months prior, which made his triumph even more unforgettable.
Jelena, in an interview, also corroborated the story, stating, “He told me he was quitting and that’s the truth! He lost in Miami and then he gathered himself and said, ‘guys, I’m finished.’ We went on a holiday together and I was playing. He decided he didn’t want to play tennis anymore, didn’t want to see tennis, didn’t want anything to do with tennis, and then he showed up on the third or fourth day!”
This journey from contemplating retirement to winning Wimbledon adds a remarkable chapter to Djokovic’s illustrious career. However, this wasn’t the only instance when Jelena supported her husband.
Djokovic didn’t shy away from admitting that he had been “anticipating this moment for nearly 20 years.” The Serbian player had made four previous attempts to achieve this feat but was thwarted by either Andy Murray or Rafael Nadal. Despite concerns about his knee injury, Djokovic was incredibly determined to succeed this time, and Jelena made sure to stand by his side throughout the journey.
During the quarter-final match against Alexander Zverev, Jelena was seen proudly waving the Serbian flag. While Nole battled intense pain in his knee, his wife’s anxiety was evident in her eyes. After his victory over Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals, Jelena playfully responded to comments about her visible nervousness. “Next time, I need to wear larger sunglasses,” she wrote on her Instagram story.
Djokovic is now just one step away from achieving great glory at the Paris Olympics. With Jelena by his side, he is likely to receive even more support and strength.
Photo from Jelena Djokovic Instagram
