Novak Djokovic extended his heartfelt greetings to his wife Jelena as she turned 37 on Monday (June 17), affectionately referring to her as his ‘doubles partner for life.’ The Serb further lavished praise on her, calling her the ‘greatest’ wife, mother and teacher he could ever wish for.
Djokovic and Jelena met in high school and started dating in 2005. Eight years later, they announced their engagement and got married the next year, in 2014. The duo now have two children together – a son named Stefan and a daughter named Tara. Stefan is nine years old while Tara is six.
Taking to Instagram on his wife’s birthday, the 24-time Grand Slam champion penned an emotional note to her, adding a picture of them sharing a romantic kiss by the sea.
“Happy birthday to the greatest wife, mother, friend, partner, leader, teacher, inspiration I could wish for. My doubles partner for life, Jelena,” Djokovic wrote.
When the World No. 3 celebrated his own birthday in May earlier this year, Jelena extended her wishes to him with similar affection, calling him to a ‘silly’ father with a heart ‘as big as the universe.’
“Happy birthday amore… Happy birthday to the silly, goofy, tireless daddy with a heart as big as the universe. it’s not that you’re ours but you really are the best. WE LOVE YOU,” Jelena wrote.
“I have dedicated everything that is important to us” – Novak Djokovic on his relationship with wife Jelena
Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic
Speaking in an interview with blic.rs in 2020, Novak Djokovic opened up about his relationship with his wife Jelena, stating that he was not concerned about reports in the Serbian media that their marriage was unstable.
The former World No. 1 made it clear that he and Jelena really loved each other, and did not care to think about what others speculated about their partnership. The 37-year-old maintained that he personally made sure that none of the important parts of their relationship got neglected despite the apparent rigors of the ATP Tour, adding that he dedicated everything in his powers to ensure that.
“I don’t read or follow the media, mostly not. So I’m not upset. I understand that it is more interesting for people to read Nole and Jelena are getting divorced than Nole and Jelena are in love. But that doesn’t affect Jelena and me because we really love each other,” Djokovic said.
“Neither Jelena nor I are burdened with such formalities. We both experience our relationship by nurturing it every day, not neglecting what makes our love so strong. It is important for every relationship that we understand things and that we do not neglect it. Business, private, love, family, marriage … I have dedicated everything that is important to us,” he added.
Djokovic was most recently in action at the French Open, where Jelena was in attendance.
Unfortunately, the Serb sustained a knee injury during the tournament and had to witdraw ahead of the quarterfinals and has since undergone surgery in the hopes of making a speedy recovery.