“Kids cannot live daddy’s life”: Novak Djokovic opens up about son Stefan’s passion for tennis and family balance ahead of Shanghai Masters
Novak Djokovic has never shied away from sharing glimpses of his private life, but his latest candid remarks about his son Stefan show a more vulnerable side to the tennis legend. Speaking ahead of his opening match at the Shanghai Masters, where he faces former Grand Slam champion Marin Cilic, the 24-time Grand Slam winner admitted that while his children are a constant source of inspiration, he is determined to let them live their own lives away from the shadow of his extraordinary career.
The 38-year-old Serbian, widely regarded as one of the greatest players of all time, revealed that his 10-year-old son Stefan has developed a growing love for the sport that made his father a household name.
Stefan’s passion for tennis
“Yeah, well my son, he plays tennis more and so he follows what’s going on,” Djokovic explained during a media interaction. “He was really insisting on traveling with me to China. He wants to travel with me everywhere, but he has to do school, and it’s not that simple. But he’s really in love with tennis and the sport.”
It’s not the first time Stefan’s enthusiasm for tennis has been mentioned publicly. In recent years, Djokovic has posted glimpses of his son playing rallies with him and even mimicking his signature celebrations. At tournaments where the family has been present, fans often catch sight of Stefan clutching a racket or copying his father’s movements, earning affectionate cheers from the crowd.
The emotional boost from family support
Djokovic also opened up about how much he cherishes the presence of his wife, Jelena, and their two children, Stefan and Tara, when they are able to travel.
“Yeah, my kids and my wife are, you know, my biggest supporters,” he said warmly. “And obviously when they are in the stadium you’ve seen them — how they support, how passionately they care about and play with me every single point. So, of course, me seeing them on the stands, you know, it’s even more inspirational. I love to have them.”
The sight of Stefan and Tara waving Serbian flags or jumping out of their seats during tense rallies has become a hallmark of Djokovic’s family-first approach. Unlike some stars who maintain a strict boundary between sport and personal life, the world No.1 has never hidden the role his family plays in keeping him grounded.
The fine line between inspiration and independence
Yet, Djokovic was careful to stress that there is a balance to strike between encouragement and independence.
“But at the same time, you know, the kids cannot live daddy’s life, they have to live their own life,” he added.
It’s a sentiment that resonates deeply in the world of professional sport, where children of icons often struggle with expectations and the pressure of legacy. For Djokovic, who grew up during the turmoil of the Yugoslav wars and trained in makeshift conditions before rising to the pinnacle of the sport, the desire to let his children chart their own course is particularly poignant.
While Stefan may dream of one day following his father onto the ATP Tour, Djokovic is keenly aware of the toll such ambition can take. “Of course, if they want to pursue tennis or any other sport, I’ll support them,” he said in earlier interviews. “But it has to come from their heart. I’ll never force it.”
Carrying the weight of greatness
The comments come at a pivotal moment in Djokovic’s career. Despite his age, he remains at the top of men’s tennis, battling Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner for supremacy. But with retirement an ever-present question, speculation about his legacy — and whether his children might one day pick up the mantle — is unavoidable.
Djokovic has often spoken about how becoming a father transformed his outlook, softening his famously fierce on-court persona. Since Stefan’s birth in 2014, he has described family life as his “anchor” amid the relentless grind of the ATP Tour.
That balance, however, is fragile. The global travel schedule means long stretches away from home, and Djokovic has admitted that it is one of the hardest sacrifices he makes. Allowing Stefan to travel full-time, he suggested, would compromise his education and normal upbringing.
What’s next in Shanghai
The Shanghai Masters marks Djokovic’s return to China, a country where he has long enjoyed immense popularity. With a record four titles in Shanghai, he enters the tournament as one of the clear favourites. His second-round clash with Marin Cilic, himself a former US Open champion, promises to test his early rhythm.
But even as he prepares for battle on court, Djokovic’s words remind fans that the most important matches in his life are often played off it. Balancing the demands of being a father, a husband, and a sporting icon is no easy feat.
A legacy beyond trophies
Djokovic’s reflections on family underscore a wider theme that has defined the later years of his career: the idea that legacy is not only measured in trophies, but in the values passed on to the next generation.
For a man whose life story has already inspired millions — from practicing in bomb shelters as a child to holding the all-time Grand Slam record — the humility of acknowledging his children’s independence may be the most humanising revelation yet.
And for fans, the image of a young Stefan pleading to join his father in Shanghai serves as a reminder that even the greatest athletes face the same dilemmas of parenthood as anyone else.
Conclusion
As Djokovic steps onto the courts of Shanghai to continue his quest for yet another title, he does so with the weight of history behind him — but also with the grounding presence of family at his side.
“Kids cannot live daddy’s life,” he said with a knowing smile. And perhaps in that simple statement lies the most important lesson Novak Djokovic will ever teach — one that extends far beyond tennis.
Whether Stefan eventually follows in his father’s footsteps or forges his own path, it’s clear that Djokovic’s greatest victory is already unfolding at home.
