Novak Djokovic has surprised the tennis world with a sad announcement that his long-term relationship is over. Novak Djokovic and Goran Ivanisevic are breaking up, the tennis world number one announced on Wednesday night
Djokovic brought Croatia’s 2001 Wimbledon champion on board as a member of the coaching team ahead of the grass court Grand Slam in 2019 and although the Serbian admitted their “on-court chemistry had its ups and downs”, it also resulted in huge success.
The pair’s relationship spanned five years where they shared 12 grand slam titles.
The pair stuck together through some dark patches in Djokovic’s life before the Serbian roared back to the top of the men’s rankings. It comes two years aft Djokovic also split from long-term mentor Marian Vajda.
Vajda guided Djokovic for 14 years. Djokovic’s personal life off the court has been rumoured to have hit several obstacles in recent years, including rumours of marriage infidelity when his wife Jelena briefly went missing from his travelling entourage.
When on-court interviewer Rishi Persad put it to the Serb that they were supporting his opponent, Djokovic said there was more to it. “I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo,” he said. “I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks.”
In more heartwarming scenes, the Serbian was seen playing with his daughter Tara as she watched the uncomfortable scenes with his wife Jelena. The 37-year-old tennis champion has two children with his wife Jelena, Stefan, 9, and Tara, 6. Novak also gave a nod to his girl as he pretended to play the violin with his tennis racket for his daughter after defeating Denmark’s Rune. Djokovic is on course to win the championship at Wimbledon seven times. He told the crowd on Monday “I played in much more hostile environments, trust me.”
One person who has supported him throughout his career is teen sweetheart Jelena. Djokovic married his high school girlfriend in July 2014. Despite her helping the Serbian to perform at the highest level, the couple previously opened up on the trials and tribulations they’ve encountered with their marriage being in the public eye.
In a previous on-court interview, Djokovic referred to himself as a “wolf”, and explained the phrase means that being in a relationship with him can be challenging. “It can be very stressful to run with the wolf. I know that she doesn’t enjoy it at all times. It’s kind of living on the edge with the wolf,” he said.
The 36-year-old said he “carries” wolf traits within him, something his wife struggles with at times, but claimed it is ‘useful energy’. “That dynamic energy sometimes turns into a roar or an outburst.,” he said.
Jelena has also shared her thoughts on being married to one of the best and most recognisable sportspeople on the planet. She revealed that losing her privacy and becoming well-known on the sports circuit does have its challenges.
“We look at public figures and think that kind of publicity is okay,” the 37-year-old said. “But as time goes on, you lack anonymity, you lack the privacy to be able to do whatever you like at any time, in any situation. I try to resist all these expectations to always be myself and for Novak to be able to be himself.”
Jelena also launched a staunch defence of her husband when he was accused of being the ‘anti vax posterboy’ at the height of the Covid pandemic. When Novak refused to take the coronavirus vaccine, he was banned from competing in the US Open as the jab was a requirement to enter the United States.
Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg explained the ban to viewers saying the Serbian had chosen to remain un-jabbed, before labelling him an “anti-vax posterboy”. Jelena, Novak’s wife of eight years, responded in anger over the remarks.
“Just making sure that it is noted that YOU tagged him as an antivax poster boy for whatever reason you have. He simply responded what HIS body choice is,” she fired. This prompted Rothenberg to respond: “I understand that it’s his choice, but I also am saying that his decision to be so firmly against the vaccines that it limits his ability to play tournaments has made him, unwittingly or not, into a huge icon of the anti-vax movement. I saw this very clearly during Australia.”
Jelena continued to stand by her husband and accused the reporter of being ‘judgmental’. “You are creating a very judgmental narrative that fits your agenda,” she added. “He is simply choosing what’s best for his body. If he is not playing because of making that choice, he is fine with it.” The American replied that he had been let down by the 35-year-old for his stance against the Covid vaccine.
“I can accept judgmental,” he continued. “I believe every citizen, especially public figures, had a duty to act responsibly with public health actions and messaging during the pandemic, and as someone who has covered Novak as the influential champion he is, he repeatedly disappointed me deeply. Is that judgmental? Perhaps. But this stuff is important.” Jelena then fired back: “Thank you for sharing your beliefs. I hope you don’t get judged for them. Or become a poster boy for hatred and bullying. You never know. You are also an influential figure, please don’t continuously disappoint. Unless that’s your role.”
Djokovic has always found ways to fight back when things are not going how he wants them to on the court, but at the age of 36, finding another spark this year may be his toughest test.
Jelena also jumped to her husband’s defence when hw as accused of drinking a ‘magic potion’ during the Paris Masters in November 2022. Many tennis fans were left confused after footage was shown on social media of Djokovic’s physio Ulises Badio mixing him a drink in the stands, with members of his team appearing to shield him. Djokovic previously dubbed a similar drink ‘magic potion’ when he was spotted inhaling powder from a bottle at Wimbledon.
After being questioned by a journalist on the matter on Twitter, Jelena replied: “I don’t see anything dodgy. In fact, I see people trying to be private about their business in a world where everyone feels like they have every right to point camera at you whenever they want. Apparently, wanting/trying to be private makes you dodgy nowadays.”
Jelena then added: “He will talk when he is ready to talk. Sit a bit in silence. Mind yourself more. Not everything you see is controversial. It could be private. Is that allowed?”
