Novak Djokovic Reveals Secrets Behind Long-Lasting Marriage to Childhood Sweetheart Jelena

Novak Djokovic, now in the twilight of his career, is not playing the full schedule. This year, apart from the three Majors, he has played just three Masters 1000s, including the ongoing Cincinnati Masters, where he suffered an opening-round exit.

Djokovic is now preparing for the release of his Prime Video documentary, Novak Djokovic: The Wolf in Winter. The documentary, scheduled to be released on Thursday (August 20), will share a glimpse into his private life. Djokovic also recently opened up about his romance with childhood sweetheart Jelena Djokovic.

First and foremost, she’s the only serious relationship I ever had. She’s been my girlfriend, fiancee, and my wife for more than 20 years, and I’m eternally grateful for her love, her support, the relationship that has evolved over the years. As with any other relationship, it takes sacrifice. It takes a lot of compromise as well, and to grow together.

Novak Djokovic told PEOPLE

Jelena, who recently shared quite a few romantic pictures with her husband on Instagram, comparing him to a few complex literary characters, including Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy from Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen, met him when they were in high school in Serbia.

Their paths crossed once again when Nole relocated to Serbia, and Jelena went to Italy to study. They dated for nine years, got engaged in 2013, and tied the knot the following year. They are now parents to son Stefan, 12, and Tara, eight.

Djokovic said that although, like many couples, they too have their trials and tribulations, three things have strengthened their relationship.

Communication, honesty, transparency. You have to communicate when something is not feeling right. The more you keep it inside, the more the monster grows. When it surfaces, it not only surfaces that very thing that bothered you, but a few other things as well. You kind of bring the ghost from the past, and then it’s a downward spiral. I’m speaking from personal experience, obviously.

Novak Djokovic added

Djokovic, due to the demanding nature of his career, has missed certain moments with his kids, like their birthdays. He wants to be as present as possible while he is with his family. Djokovic also has a deep respect and admiration for Jelena for keeping the household together and nurturing the kids in his absence.

Novak Djokovic sees himself in Jannik Sinner

If there’s one youngster with whom Novak Djokovic identifies the most, he is Jannik Sinner. The Italian ace, in fact, has earned the label of Djokovic 2.0 due to the similarities in their game styles.

We both come from the mountains; he from South Tyrol and I from Serbia. We chose skiing as a sport; we left home at 13, and we were forced to become men quickly, far from family and loved ones. There’s no doubt that skiing gave us flexibility, movement, the ability to glide on any surface. The flexibility of our ankles comes from the snow as much as the balance and coordination between our upper and lower limbs.

Novak Djokovic told Corriere della Sera

Sinner, the runner-up in last year’s Cincinnati Open, skipped the tournament this season due to a knee niggle. He also did not play at the Canadian Open to rest and recover following his Wimbledon title defense.

The 25-year-old, who has won six titles this season, will be hoping to be back for the US Open, the main draw of which starts on August 30. Sinner, before his Wimbledon title, clinched trophies in Indian Wells, Miami, Monte Carlo, Rome, and Madrid. He was the runner-up in last year’s US Open, losing the match to Carlos Alcaraz, who has been on the sidelines since the Barcelona Open due to a wrist injury.

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