5 best family moments in tennis ft. Rafael Nadal's son, Novak Djokovic's daughter
Tennis, like most sports, has brought together many people through their love for the game, including the families of numerous tennis stars who are regulars in the stands of various tournaments cheering for them.
Parents of many celebrated tennis players have dedicated a lot of their time and energy during the childhood of their aspiring tennis champions and the same is the case with their partners who offer all sorts of love and support in what then turns out to be a joint quest for victory.
In this regard, through victories, defeats and other significant moments, there have been several instances where the tennis court has witnessed the families of some of the best tennis players coming together.
With that said, here are some of the best family moments in the history of tennis:
#5 Novak Djokovic wishing Happy Anniversary to his wife at Wimbledon 2022
Novak Djokovic won his seventh Wimbledon title after defeating Nick Kyrgios in the finals in 2022 - his first Major title that year. However, the victory added to another big celebration in his life as the day also marked his wedding anniversary with his wife Jelena Djokovic, who was seen cheering for her husband with their daughter Tara from the player's box.
The Serb dedicated the title to his wife and said:
"Darling Happy Anniversary, this [Wimbledon title] is my present to you."
#4 Roger Federer sharing an emotional moment with his family at Laver Cup 2022
In one of the most emotional moments in the history of tennis, Roger Federer bid adieu to the sport he championed and reigned over for years at the Laver Cup in 2022, which did not just make his fans but also his rivals like Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray cry because of the end of an iconic era.
While the Swiss held Nadal's hands and was embraced by the entire tennis fraternity, his family was also present in the stadium to be there with Federer at this bittersweet moment wherein his wife Mirka embraced her husband and consoled him while he wept holding on to her.
Federer's parents and kids, teary-eyed like most people present on the court, joined the couple in the emotional moment soon after.
#3 Nadal Jr. stealing the show at Madrid Open 2024
Rafael Nadal's son Rafael Nadal Jr. has been in the limelight ever since he started accompanying his father on the tour, often seen holding a small racquet and cheering for his dad from the stands or playing football with Jannik Sinner.
More recently, at the Madrid Open, Nadal Jr. was seen sitting with his aunt and mother in the front row when his father defeated Darwin Blanch in straight sets in the first round of the tournament.
Before the match started, Rafa was seen cradling his baby and having a moment with him before he stepped onto the court and beat 16-year-old Blanch in just over an hour.
Right after the same, Nadal looked at his wife holding the baby who held up his index finger following his mum's actions, a moment that left the audience awestruck.
After the match, Nadal who plans to retire soon, said (via Sportstar):
“Well, I would love to play a little bit longer and give him a memory of myself playing tennis."
“Probably I will not be able to make that happen. But at least I’m happy to have a great team, family and friends around me all my life that helped me in every single way to be happy.”
#2 Maria Sharapova embracing her father after winning Wimbledon in 2004
At the age of 17, 13th seed Maria Sharapova defeated Serena Williams 6-1, 6-4 to clinch her first Grand Slam and only Wimbledon title in 2004, an iconic victory in the career of the Russian.
Ten years before the same, 7-year-old Maria moved to the United States with her father Yuri to pursue her tennis skills, for which her father sacrificed a well-settled life in Russia. Hence, right after the moment she won the match point and shook her opponent's hands, the Russian ran up the stands and moved past the crowd to hug her proud and already celebrating father who ran towards her from the other end.
Speaking about what was regarded as one of the most emotional and memorable moments in Wimbledon, Sharapova said (via New York Times):
''All that has happened in my life, all the tough moments we've been through, all the good moments...This is what I wanted to achieve all my life, and it happened. That's the person I wanted to share it with.''
Russian agent Max Eisenbud, who worked with Sharapova for more than two decades, later shared how Yuri partied with his friends for a week in celebration of the victory.
#1 Novak Djokovic celebrating with his daughter after winning the US Open in 2023
After winning the US Open in 2023, Novak Djokovic made history by becoming the first man in the Open Era to win 24 Grand Slams and also became the oldest man in the history of the US Open to win the title.
The Serb, however, attributed the victory to his six-year-old daughter, Tara, saying that he watched her throughout the entire match and that she helped him in winning the match. Therefore, it was no surprise that after winning the match point, the first thing he did was to run towards his family and hug his little daughter.
Talking about how she supported her father, Djokovic said:
“You know, when I was going through the very stressful moments, particularly in the second set when I needed a little bit of a push, of a strength, of, yeah, just lightness, I guess, she gave me a smile, a fist pump. She was into it."