"Us getting together was like science fiction... He had no money" - When Novak Djokovic's wife Jelena revealed early troubles during relationship
Novak Djokovic's wife, Jelena, once shared the challenges they faced early in their relationship. Despite those, they remained committed to each other and have been happily married for 10 years.
Djokovic and Jelena have known each other since childhood, having attended the same high school in Serbia. They dated for eight years before getting engaged in Monte Carlo in September 2013.
The power couple married in July 2014 in Sveti Stefan, Montenegro, and have been happily together ever since with two children: their son Stefan, eight, and daughter Tara, six.
In a 2023 interview with HELLO! magazine, Jelena shared insights into her relationship with Djokovic, describing their getting together as "almost a science fiction" due to the former World No. 1's financial struggles as a junior tennis player. With limited funds and no access to air travel, they had to strategize carefully to make their relationship work.
"Us getting together was like science fiction, almost," Jelena said. "I was a student barely getting by, and he was a very young tennis player who also had no money to spare on expensive trips."
"Airplanes were, at the time, something utterly out of our reach. We contrived and devised these plans how to meet, how to make our relationship work," the businesswoman added.
Novak Djokovic penned heartfelt message to wife Jelena on 10th marriage anniversary
Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary on July 10, 2024. To mark the occasion, the 24-time Major champion shared a heartfelt message on his Instagram account, accompanied by a video showcasing their cherished moments together.
"Ten years of joy, ten years of dreams, ten years as islands, ten years as streams. Ten years as parents, ten years as one, ten years of dancing, ten years of fun," he wrote in the caption.
"Ten years of yoga, ten years we stretch, ten years of dogs, ten years go fetch. Ten years of flying, ten years at sea, ten years of you, the best part of me," he added.
Djokovic continued:
"Ten years of tennis, ten years of balls, ten years of triumph, ten years of falls. Ten years as teammates, ten years together, ten years Jelena, I love you forever. I love you."
Jelena has been a constant presence in Djokovic's player box during tournaments, with her most recent appearance being at the 2024 Wimbledon Championships, where the Serb lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the final.