Who is in Novak Djokovic's player box at Australian Open 2025 in Carlos Alcaraz QF? All you need to know about Serb's unprecedented family decision

Novak Djokovic is embroiled in a blockbuster showdown with Carlos Alcaraz. The generational battle between the two men has been touted to be the match of the year by many experts despite the tennis season being in its first Major, the Australian Open.

The Serb is looking to embellish his already beautiful tennis resume with an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam. However, the man standing in his way to glory is a player also looking to enter the record books by becoming the youngest player to complete the career Grand Slam. Despite the huge stakes, Djokovic hasn't looked stressed at all. His secret? Having his family by his side in Melbourne.

The 24-time Major champion had revealed during his Brisbane International run that he was given a pleasant surprise by his wife Jelena, who told him his family, including children Stefan and Tara, would be accompanying him to Australia ahead of one of the most important campaigns of his career.

"Yeah, as I mentioned on the court, this is the first time my family comes with me, my children, my wife. I was actually a little bit surprised as well, my wife said she wanted to take the kids on the road and come to Australia. I wasn't expecting that because I know it's a long trip, school and everything. Many challenges that you have to face as a parent," the 37-year-old said.

During a mixed doubles exhibition at the Australian Open, where Djokovic teamed up with fellow Paris Olympics Gold Medalist Zheng Qinwen to take on Andy Murray and Victoria Azarenka, Stefan was hilariously asked by the Belarusian if he wanted to replace Murray and partner up with her. However, Stefan displayed his shy side and turned down Azarenka's request.

The tennis world's eyes are on the Serb's highly anticipated clash against Carlos Alcaraz and the Djokovic family is in attendance to cheer the former World No. 1 on. However, they decided to block the camera placed in the player's box, seemingly to protect the Serb's children Stefan, who is 10 years old, and Tara, seven years old, from the eyes of the media. They are seated beside their mother.

However, there have been mixed reactions to their actions from the tennis fraternity.

"Hot take: Players box shouldn't be allowed to do this."

On the other hand, many defended Jelena and her family's decision to protect the privacy of their children, who are not even teenagers yet.

"It is his children. And the boy is clearly uncomfortable with all the attention. They are not his team. His team is on court," a fan defended.

"Players' children are not public figures and cannot be filmed without their parents' consent," another fan said.

"I'm more motivated, more calm, more serene" - Novak Djokovic on the positives of having his family around

Novak Djokovic - Source: Getty

Novak Djokovic delved into the positives of having Jelena and his children around while traveling since it helped him take his mind off the pressures of tennis and spend some quality time with his loved ones. This helped him feel more motivated while also maintaining his composure.

"This makes it so much easier for me, obviously knowing going back home now they're going to be there waiting for me. I'm more motivated. I am also more calm, more serene. I spend great quality time with them. It allows me to also not think about tennis 24/7, to have time where I can just release the tension and be really, yeah, involved in their time," Djokovic said.

At the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic won in four sets against Nishesh Basavareddy and Jaime Faria, respectively, in his opening two rounds. However, when many predicted his following rounds against Tomas Machac and Jiri Lehecka might cause him severe trouble, the Serb clinched straight-set victories in both matches.

At the time of publishing, Novak Djokovic and Carlos Alcaraz were tied at 4-6, 6-4.