How would tennis history remember Novak Djokovic a few years down the line? A legend! However, a lot has gone into the making of this legend. In addition to a supportive family, Djokovic is blessed with an equally supportive better half. Jelena Djokovic is usually seen in his box, standing by his side as he battles some rowdy fans and tough opponents on the court. However, in the swirl of time, we forgot to ask how life turned out for Jelena as a legend’s wife, having a family, and some unhealthy on-court and off-court tirades.

Though in line with common perception, Jelena’s life is filled with both material and marital bliss. However, when your husband is out to become the world’s greatest tennis player, it certainly leads to a lot of changes in home life. And for Jelena, this corresponded with competition, ego, and battling stereotypes. And in an interview back in 2020, Jelena decided to open her struggles to the world.

When the Serbian ace’s wife was asked about the hardest time they have faced as a couple and how they got through, Jelena put on a brave front to narrate her insecurities with a calm face. And it wasn’t just the opponents and some unruly fans that Djokovic was competing with, his wife was also in the draw. She said, “I was trying to compete with him. I felt like I’m also deserving. And I’m not getting enough credit for what I’m doing.”

Managing home kids, Novak Djokovic Foundation, supporting her husband, and maybe somewhere forgetting herself. All of this was backstage work, while Djokovic was taking center stage around the world. She further detailed what fueled such thoughts. “I’m doing it more in the backstage. My ego was there battling also an internal battle. I felt that I can express so much more but I’ve to do it more quietly.” -She said, as emotions and stereotypes battled against each other.

“Quietly,” a typical word which represents another world for a woman, a same was the case with Jelena. “And basically as a woman you are not allowed to speak up a lot, you are not allowed to show up a lot.” However, there was more, it’s not just was a woman, but as a famous athlete’s wife, as the choices a many a times governed by an invisible hand of opinions around the world!

Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 12, 2024 The family and team of Serbia’s Novak Djokovic watch from the stands during his semi final match against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti REUTERS/Paul ChildsFurther elaborating on her dilemma, she said, “And there is this stereotype about who is the wife of an athlete, how she should look like, how she should behave. And I don’t fit very well into that stereotype.” Whether she fits into the stereotype or not, the mother of 2 has certainly adapted to being the wife of the famous, Novak Djokovic. The journey which started from high school has traversed a long way around the world.

From surprising proposal to separation rumors and coming out stronger than ever: Novak Djokovic’s everlasting love story

They got together when they were kids, high school sweethearts! Before tying the knot in 2014. However, Jelena boasted that she knew the former World No.1 way too well, and he wouldn’t be able to surprise her anytime soon. But, Djokovic went all out to at least surprise his better half for just once. And planned an elaborate marriage proposal as he got down on one knee to propose an eternity to his then-girlfriend.

Djokovic revealed the heartwarming moment. She said, “She thought we were going hiking or something like this, but we went for a hot-air balloon ride. I arranged another hot-air balloon in the distance so that when we were coming closer to it, it rises and released the banner sign ‘Will you marry me’.”

However, back in 2019, the pair found themselves surrounded by nasty separation rumors which didn’t subside until Jelena opened up in the interview. The rumors came after Jelena was absent from the tennis circuit for a year. Reason: their daughter Tara was too young to travel, but this was not taken lightly by tennis fans. As they went ahead with their assumptions.

That was all in the past, as the couple is seen together on various occasions with their kids. A happy family!