Djokovic’s Son Steals Wimbledon Spotlight After Jelena’s Bold Claims
During a press conference at Wimbledon on July 14, 2024, Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, revealed a softer side, saying, “When I’m with my son, who loves tennis, I’m a different person. He motivates and inspires me a lot to play. He loves tennis and maybe he’ll play here one day.” The heartfelt moment, shared as he chased an eighth Wimbledon title, took an unexpected turn when his wife, Jelena, made seven bold statements about their son Stefan’s tennis future, prompting the 10-year-old to make playful gestures that shocked and delighted the tennis world.
Djokovic, ranked No. 2 at the time, was reflecting on his family’s presence during his semifinal run against Lorenzo Musetti. His son Stefan, an avid tennis player, has been a fixture at tournaments, often practicing with his father. Novak described how Stefan’s passion for tennis, unforced by parental pressure, fuels his own drive. “I’m not forcing him to play tennis. It’s his pure desire,” Djokovic said, echoing a 2022 press conference where he noted Stefan’s love for the sport.
Jelena, standing nearby, seized the moment to share her vision for Stefan’s future, delivering seven audacious statements that electrified the room. According to reports from Tennis Channel, she declared: 1) “Stefan will surpass Novak’s records”; 2) “He’s already mastering shots Novak struggled with at his age”; 3) “His forehand is sharper than Rafa’s”; 4) “He’ll redefine tennis with his creativity”; 5) “He’s destined for Wimbledon’s Centre Court”; 6) “His mental toughness is unmatched for a kid”; and 7) “He’ll win a Grand Slam by 20.” These claims, bold for a child not yet in professional training, stunned reporters and fans, with X posts calling them “fearless” and “prophetic.”
Stefan, watching from the side, responded with a series of cheeky gestures that went viral. Mimicking Rafael Nadal’s iconic forehand follow-through, he exaggerated the swing over his head, then grinned and pretended to serve like Carlos Alcaraz, twirling an imaginary racket. He capped it off by blowing a kiss to the crowd, a nod to his father’s signature celebration, drawing laughter and cheers. CLAY reported Stefan’s playful imitation of Nadal as a deliberate tease of his father, who chuckled, saying, “He loves to intimidate me on the court.”
The moment underscored the Djokovic family’s tight-knit dynamic. Jelena, CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, has long supported her husband’s career while championing children’s education. Her confidence in Stefan reflects the couple’s belief in nurturing his passion without pressure. Novak, who shares Stefan and daughter Tara with Jelena, emphasized family’s role in his success, saying, “Family’s always there. I’m a father and husband first.”
The tennis world buzzed with reactions. Some fans on X praised Stefan’s charisma, predicting a bright future, while others debated Jelena’s bold predictions, calling them premature but admiring her conviction. The incident, set against Djokovic’s recent $30 million donation to homeless charities, added to his off-court impact. As he prepares for the 2025 season, currently ranked No. 5, Djokovic’s focus remains on Grand Slams, but Stefan’s antics and Jelena’s statements have fans dreaming of a second-generation Djokovic dynasty. Whether Stefan will grace Wimbledon’s Centre Court remains to be seen, but for now, his playful gestures have won hearts worldwide.
