Will Novak Djokovic's wife Jelena, daughter Tara and son Stefan be in attendance at Australian Open 2025 supporting him? All you need to know

Novak Djokovic is looking in fine form after ending the 2024 season prematurely due to an injury. He commenced the new season at the Brisbane International with comfortable wins over Rinky Hijikata and Gael Monfils to reach the quarterfinals. He's gunning for his 100th career title here, and will resume his quest for a 25th Major title at the Australian Open in a few days.

However, Djokovic is far from stressed, and for good reason. For the first time in his career his wife and kids have accompanied him to Australia, and will be here until the end of the season's first Major. He elaborated on how that came to be in his post-match interview after his win over Monfils on Thursday (January 2).

Djokovic was caught a little off guard when his wife, Jelena, informed him about her plans to join him in Australia with the kids in tow. Given the children's school schedule and the long trip, they usually stayed back in Europe during this time of the season.

"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," - Djokovic said.

Djokovic is still focused on the task at hand, and tennis is his main priority. His wife is looking after the kids, and all are rooting for him to break more records.

"I'm doing my own thing here. If I have a match day, I'm spending time getting ready for that match and everything. Obviously she has to take care of the kids. She's here supporting me, trying to give me that love and energy, along with kids, that I need to play my best tennis," - Djokovic stated.

Their presence has definitely made a difference according to Djokovic. It used to be quite tough for him to leave them behind, and he often wondered whether the trade-off was worth it.

"So far it's working very well. I mean, I'm feeling great on the court. I'm playing great. It allows me to, first of all, not feel the guilt that I'm so far away for such a long time. I've been feeling that, I must admit, when I would travel to Australia in the previous years. I would be away for whatever, four, five weeks. Every time you have to separate with your kids and your wife, there's a lot of tears involved. It's not easy. Then you start to question yourself, Why do I have to do it over and over again?" - Djokovic said.

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Novak Djokovic on his family's presence in Australia: "I am also more calm, more serene"

Novak Djokovic with his wife Jelena. (Photo: Getty)

Novak Djokovic stated that having his family around in Australia with him is the best way for him to decompress. It takes his mind off of tennis, and spending time with them always leaves him feeling relaxed.

"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.

"It's a great balance so far. Kids have been enjoying the tennis tournament. They know a few players they like to watch. Yeah, it's been great," - he added.

Djokovic will take on Reilly Opelka in the Brisbane quarterfinals on Friday (January 3). This will be the first career meeting between them. A win would possibly pit him against another big server, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the semifinals, and defending champion Grigor Dimitrov could await him in the final.