Novak Djokovic is back in action at Wimbledon on Monday, resuming his clash with Hubert Hurkacz after Sunday’s curfew halted the third-round match.
Djokovic, a seven-time champion at SW19 and the reigning title holder, carries a 7-6(6), 7-6(6) lead onto Centre Court, where he will be cheered on by his family and team in the stands.
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Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, is among those supporting him at the All England Club. Jelena, 37, married her 36-year-old husband in 2014, though the pair met in high school in their native Serbia.
They did not begin dating until around a decade later, however, and in 2016 they recalled an awkward first date at a bar in Monte Carlo. “In my eyes, at the time, it was a very exclusive place to take her,” Novak said: “I wanted to impress her, so I found this very good restaurant.” But Jelena said: “Awkward moment, he wants to order for me, and it wasn’t what I expected.”
Having ordered steak – Jelena’s favourite – Novak then “called the waiter over and explained the steak was underdone”. The waiter said: “You ordered the steak tartare, it’s always served raw.” In the 2016 interview, Novak finished by saying: “Whenever we see a steak tartare on the menu, it reminds us of our first date.”
The record 23-time slam champion and his wife, who is CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, have two children together: son Stefan, born in 2014, and daughter Tara, born in 2017.
Also present in Djokovic’s box at Wimbledon is his coach, Goran Ivanisevic – a former world No 2, who won Wimbledon in 2001.
Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic (left) watches on at Wimbledon, where he was champion in 2001— (Getty Images)
Djokovic’s parents – his mother Dijana and father Srdjan – are also often seen supporting him at tournaments.
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