"I was crying with happiness" - Novak Djokovic's wife Jelena opens up about how Serb's Paris Olympics triumph made her feel
Novak Djokovic's wife Jelena recently revisited her intense emotions after the Serb clinched his maiden men's singles Olympic gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. According to Jelena, she turned teary-eyed following her husband finally snapping his Olympic gold drought. However, at the same time, she was also thinking about what his future tennis goals would be.
The 24-time Major winner went into the 2024 Paris Games looking for the only significant honor that had eluded him over the course of his illustrious career. However, on paper, Djokovic wasn't the favorite, as he had not been in great form up until that point. Despite this, the Serb made it all the way to the gold medal match after brushing aside Matthew Ebden, Rafael Nadal, Dominik Koepfer, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Lorenzo Musetti.
At the last hurdle, gold medal favorite Carlos Alcaraz awaited. However, Djokovic played arguably his finest tennis of the 2024 season to eventually triumph 7-6(3), 7-6(2), ending his long wait for Olympic gold. While the Serb himself was overcome with emotion, his wife Jelena, who was in attendance at the Stade Roland Garros to watch it all unfold, was also unable to contain herself.
In a recent interview with La Nacion, Jelena looked back on her husband's resounding success at the 2024 Paris Olympics. She recalled herself crying but at the same time thinking about what his next goal in tennis would be.
"I was crying with happiness, but while I was crying I was thinking: 'Oh my God, what will his next goal be? Because he will certainly not stop here. What's next?' I don't know, but it's incredible," Jelena told La Nacion.
She later lauded the former World No. 1 for his mental fortitude and spiritual prowess. Jelena also opined that living with the 24-time Major winner is something she is honored to do.
"Olympic gold was a very difficult goal to achieve, it took him a long time [Paris 2024 was his fifth Olympic participation]. I know for sure that he will not stop here. He is a giant in mental and spiritual capacity. It is an honour to live with him and, in some ways, to be inspired by him," Jelena added.
After clinching the Olympic gold medal for the very first time in Paris this year, Djokovic himself said that it was the biggest achievement of his long and distinguished tennis career.
"Nothing will ever surpass seeing myself on the podium listening to the Serbian anthem" - Novak Djokovic after winning gold at Paris Olympics 2024
Despite winning 24 Grand Slams, a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles and a record seven year-end championships, Novak Djokovic said that his men's singles gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics is his most significant achievement in tennis. The Serb's admission came at a press conference after he had won the gold medal match against young rival Carlos Alcaraz.
"Doubts always exist, but faith and the belief that I can achieve my goals are always stronger. I was aware that this was my last chance to win an Olympic gold, so I had to focus fully on my goal. Nothing will ever surpass seeing myself on the podium listening to the Serbian anthem with the flag raised," Djokovic said.
The Paris Olympics has been Djokovic's most successful outing so far this season. On the ATP Tour, the former World No. 1 has failed to add to his enviable title haul. Recently, the Serb pulled out from the 2024 Rolex Paris Masters, and there are rumors swirling that he may return to action directly at the 2025 Australian Open.