(VIDEO) Novak Djokovic trains with son Stefan at Wimbledon in unique pre-match preparation

Wednesday, 01 July 2026 at 22:00

The 7-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic was training with his son Stefan during his preparations for his second-round clash. The Serbian will play under the night session against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Centre Court, and he had a luxury sparring partner in the morning to work on his volleys.

It is not the first time we have seen Nole training with his son, as a few months earlier the 24-time Grand Slam champion was also practicing with Stefan in Athens, while preparing for the Athens Open — a tournament held in the final part of the year in the city where Djokovic has been a resident since last year.

In a recent video from the All England Club, Nole surprised by arriving at the warm-up on the practice courts — open to the public — with his son as his sparring partner. There, the 39-year-old was doing warm-up work and practicing his volleys, a weapon he will no doubt use against Tsitsipas in their second-round match.

It will be the 15th meeting between Djokovic and Tsitsipas, who have even met in two Grand Slam finals. This time they arrive in very different circumstances for both players — especially for the Greek, currently ranked only No. 87. The head-to-head is led by Djokovic 12-2, although their last meeting came at the 2024 Olympic Games, where the Serbian won on his way to a gold medal.

Stefan has grown up enough to practice volley with his father 🥹 @DjokerNole #Djokovic #DjokovicFamily pic.twitter.com/EF3gg8JKft
— NovakAnalysis (@NovakAnalysis) July 1, 2026

Djokovic prepares Tsitsipas clash with son Stefan

Stefan already stole attention on the first day of competition when he was in his father’s box during the victory over Wu Yibing in the first round (6-4, 5-7, 6-4, 6-4). Stefan’s celebrations were captured by official cameras and later widely shared on social media.

During television coverage, even John McEnroe had a few words for Nole’s eldest son. Andrew Cotter said: “[Chuckles] Stefan! Like father, like son. Easy Stefan,” while John McEnroe added: “That is impressive energy. Carlos started that, but a lot of guys are following in his footsteps.”

Djokovic himself has previously clarified his son’s relationship with tennis: “I’m not forcing him to play tennis. I never did that. Not a single day have I told him you have to do this. It’s really purely his own desire to step on the court. Of course, I’ll be thrilled if he plays tennis.”

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“He shouldn’t feel any of the pressure or expectations yet, even though he’s going to because it’s part of his family, I guess,” the former world No. 1 added. “Obviously, we had a chat about the routines and the things he should do. You have to speak in their language about things that I feel like could help him.”

“He was showing me forehands and backhands, how he’s going to move tomorrow, kind of shadowing, playing shadow tennis. I try to take that energy, childish energy, and fuel my inner child because I tend to forget about my inner child a lot. Everything is so serious. It’s your profession. It’s your job.”

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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.

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