"I want them to be here with me"- Novak Djokovic reveals how he and wife Jelena divide their parenting duties with son Stefan and daughter Tara
Novak Djokovic recently opened up on his parenting duties, stating that he is responsible for his children's activities. The Serb married his wife Jelena in 2014 after years of dating, the duo welcoming their son Stefan later that year. They were blessed with a daughter named Tara, three years later.
Despite his recent recovery from a knee injury, Djokovic has shown promise at Wimbledon 2024. He advanced to the semifinals without playing the quarterfinal match against Alex de Minaur, as the latter withdrew just hours before their match due to a hip injury.
Djokovic has been accompanied by his family, including his son and daughter, throughout his campaign at the London Major. In a recent interview with the Tennis Channel, Novak Djokovic discussed his role as a parent, stating that he constantly reminds his children of the importance of staying active.
Out of the two parents I am the one that is responsible for their activities, sports, healthy lifestyle. I want them... I have always sometimes, exactly -she is rolling her eyes right now (pointed to his wife) as I am speaking. I keep on in a way reminding them how important it is to be active, just do sports, I mean whether it is tennis or whatever it is, just be active, be out there. So I try to take them on with me on tennis every day, even if it's the match day I want them to be here with me," Djokovic said [6:40].
The 24-time Major champion added that his children rarely accompany him for his matches. However, they enjoy being at Wimbledon during the second week, where they can practice with other children from players' families.
"And because there are very rare occasions, maybe just few tournaments a year where I can experience what I have been experiencing here with them. And they love Wimbledon because they have the indoor courts, the Orangi practice courts, particularly in the second week they have some free courts for maybe 10 mins, 30 minutes, 60 minutes where they can hit."
"There are a lot of families, a lot of children from other players who are coming in. For them it's also a great experience, it's a great camp, exactly. And it's fun because I get to have quality time with them, with my wife as well and then they still have friends on the side," he added.
Novak Djokovic's children also came under the spotlight for their amusing behavior during his third-round clash against Alexei Popyrin. While Stefan playfully mimicked Djokovic's smash, Tara seemed less entertained, as she was spotted reading a book during the match.
The 37-year-old later reflected on the incident, stating he had been happy to see Tara enjoying herself. However, he joked that he was sad that his tennis couldn't entertain her.
Novak Djokovic faces Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2024
Novak Djokovic is set to face Italy's Lorenzo Musetti in the semifinals of Wimbledon 2024. The 37-year-old didn't play in the lead-up tournaments to the London Major, as he was recovering from his knee injury. Despite this, Djokovic dominated at Wimbledon, defeating Vit Kopriva, Jacob Fearnley, Alexei Popyrin, and Holger Rune before reaching the semifinals due to a walkover from Alex de Minaur.
Meanwhile, Musetti has had an impressive grasscourt season, reaching the semifinals of the BOSS Open in Stuttgart and the final of the Cinch Championships at the Queen's Club, before starting his Wimbledon campaign. The Italian defeated Constant Lestienne, Luciano Darderi, Francisco Comesana, and Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, before overcoming Taylor Fritz in an exhausting five-setter to secure his place in the semifinals.
Novak Djokovic holds a convincing 5-1 head-to-head advantage against the 22-year-old. They last met in the third round of the 2024 French Open, where Musetti gave the Serb a tough fight but eventually lost 7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0