Novak Djokovic’s Father Gets Emotional While Discussing the Mental Toughness of the Serb

The tennis world knows Novak Djokovic as a relentless competitor, a man who refuses to back down even when the odds are stacked against him. But behind that iron will stands another figure who shaped the champion we see today—his father, Srdjan Djokovic. And now, in a candid and emotional revelation, Srdjan is pulling back the curtain on what it took to build a legend, while simultaneously begging his son to call it quits.

It’s a story that goes beyond trophies and titles. It’s about sacrifice, stubbornness, and the complicated love between a father who pushed his son to greatness and now worries that greatness has taken too much. Srdjan doesn’t mince words. In a recent video released by the Novak Djokovic Foundation, he laid it all out there. Djokovic said in a ceremony for his son’s foundation (H/T: Punto de Break):

I’m sure I made mistakes along the way. I did it several times during his development, both as a person and as an athlete. However, I wouldn’t change a thing. I would do it all exactly the same way again. Without that toughness, without that perseverance, without that unwavering faith I had that everything would work out, that he would succeed (a belief I based on the opinions of various experts around the world), none of this would have happened. Nobody believed in him as much as I did, not even he himself, and he didn’t have as much faith in himself.

Growing up in war-torn Belgrade, with limited resources and endless obstacles, the Djokovic family bet everything on a skinny kid with a dream. Srdjan’s relentless faith became the foundation for one of the most dominant careers in tennis history.

But now, after 24 Grand Slam titles and countless records shattered, Srdjan wants his son to step away. However, the decision lies in the hands of the former World No.1.

Novak Djokovic’s glorious tennis career

This isn’t the first time Srdjan has voiced his concerns. Back in 2023, during a documentary about his son’s career, he made his feelings clear: Novak should retire. Not because he’s losing—far from it—but because Srdjan believes his son has already achieved everything he set out to accomplish.

Djokovic has won 24 Grand Slam titles, which is more than any male in history. The Serb has held the Grand Slam record since winning his 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros in 2023. He added one more at the US Open in the same year.

Djokovic clinched his ultimate achievement by winning the Gold Medal for Serbia at the 2024 Paris Olympics. The Serb defeated Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets to win the last missing piece of his career.

What next for Novak Djokovic?

For now, Novak Djokovic shows no signs of slowing down. He’s entered upcoming tournaments, his training regimen remains intense, and his competitive spirit appears unshaken. The Novak Djokovic Foundation continues its work promoting youth development, signaling that the family’s commitment extends far beyond the tennis court.

But Srdjan’s words linger. They’re a reminder that behind every champion is a support system that made it possible—and sometimes, that system knows when to say, “You’ve done enough.”

Novak has begun the 2026 season well by playing the Australian Open final. The 38-year-old beat Jannik Sinner in a memorable semifinal encounter to reach his first Grand Slam final since Wimbledon 2024. However, he fell short against Carlos Alcaraz in four sets.

He didn’t play the Qatar Open, but is expected to play Indian Wells and Miami. The Serb played the Miami Open final last year, losing to Jakub Mensik in straight sets.

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