"Struggle with that more and more as time goes on": Novak Djokovic shares heartache of being away from family especially in Australia

Monday, 29 January 2024 at 21:00

Novak Djokovic responded to an interview in Melbourne following his exit from the Australian Open in the semifinals against Jannik Sinner. The 24-times Grand Slam champion reflected on the cost of traveling around the world for tournaments and not being present as much as he would like while his children are growing up.

At 36 years old, the Serbian has reduced the demands of his schedule in recent years, skipping practically all tournaments below the Masters 1000 level, and even opting out of some of them to save time away. For instance, in the past season, he skipped tournaments like Shanghai and Canada.

Read also

‘Nole’ has always been seen with his children during his off-competition periods and spoke about the challenges of being a tennis player and missing out on some important moments as his children grow: “I do struggle with that more and more as time goes on, Australia is a long trip, probably the longest one we have in the entire year.”

“My son is 9, my daughter is 6, every day, every week they change. My daughter’s first tooth fell out and I wasn’t there for that, but at the same time it’s all about balance,” Djokovic said.

Read also

Unlike the rest of the top-10 tennis players, Djokovic does not have any tournaments scheduled for February and will only return during the 'sunshine double,' where he will have to spend at least four weeks between Indian Wells and the Miami Open. In addition to the tournament days, he will travel to the USA beforehand to prepare in the conditions of each city.

“Dads should play with their children all the time. I mean that’s like my favorite part of the day just when I have their attention and when they have my attention and we are fully present, we play and we invent stuff. It’s the best. I’m getting emotional right now, I miss them, I’ll see them in a few days." (via Nine Network).

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

"I knew that one day you'll regret this": Maria Sharapova shares hilarious holiday blooper of Jannik Sinner after Australian Open triumph

ATP RANKING Update after Australian Open: Novak Djokovic goes 100 weeks clear of Roger Federer, new milestone for Aussie king Jannik Sinner