Novak Djokovic has started the new season strongly after ending his 2024 campaign prematurely due to injury. Competing at the Brisbane International, he secured straightforward victories over Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils, advancing to the quarterfinals. Djokovic is aiming for his 100th career title at this event and will soon turn his attention to the Australian Open, where he will seek his 25th Grand Slam title.
For the first time, Djokovic’s wife and children have joined him in Australia, staying through the first Grand Slam of the year. In his post-match interview following his win over Monfils on January 2, he discussed how this came to be. Djokovic revealed he was taken aback when his wife, Jelena, shared her plans to bring their children to Australia. Typically, they remain in Europe during this part of the season due to school schedules and the challenges of traveling such a long distance.
“This is the first time my family comes with me, my children, my wife,” Djokovic explained. “I was a little surprised because I know it’s a long trip, with school and everything else. There are many challenges as a parent, but she decided to take the kids on the road.”
Djokovic emphasized that tennis remains his primary focus. While he prepares for his matches, his wife takes care of the children, offering their love and support, which he finds incredibly energizing.
“When I have a match day, I focus on preparing for that match. She takes care of the kids and supports me, giving me love and energy to play my best tennis,” he said.
Having his family around has significantly impacted Djokovic’s mindset. In the past, it was difficult for him to leave them behind, leading to feelings of guilt and questioning the sacrifices involved in his career.
“I used to feel guilt when I traveled to Australia for weeks at a time, leaving my family behind. It wasn’t easy, with a lot of tears involved. I often wondered, ‘Why do I have to do this repeatedly?’ Now, having them here makes it easier. I feel great on the court, and it brings me peace knowing they’re here with me,” Djokovic shared.
He also mentioned that their presence helps him decompress and maintain a healthy balance between tennis and family life. Spending time with them allows him to relax and temporarily shift his focus away from the sport.
“Knowing they’re waiting for me at home after a match makes me more motivated, calm, and serene. I spend quality time with them, which helps me release tension and enjoy their company. It’s been a perfect balance so far. The kids are enjoying the tournament and have even found a few players they like to watch,” he added.
Djokovic is set to face Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane quarterfinals on January 3. This will be their first-ever meeting. A victory could lead to a semifinal clash with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, another powerful server, while defending champion Grigor Dimitrov might aw
ait in the final.