Novak Djokovic has revealed that he and his wife, Jelena, argue about the mobile phone ban imposed on their two children. The high school sweethearts married in 2014 before welcoming Stefan, now nine years old, and seven-year-old Tara.
Djokovic followed his US Open third-round defeat by joining up with Team Serbia at the Davis Cup. Jelena and Tara were in the stands to watch the 37-year-old dispatch world No 770 Ioannis Xilas in just 45 minutes on Saturday, conceding only one game in the process.
Before that match, Djokovic was given the chance to open up on one part of his family life. “My children still don’t have a cell phone, my wife and I argue (about it),” Djokovic told Blic.
“The kids complain, ‘At school everyone has one except us’. It’s not easy and this is reflected on other levels as well. If everyone does something, the herd behaves like this, you have to follow them. Well, it doesn’t have to be like that. This is where I think we differ from others, because we are stubborn and active.
Djokovic has already made it clear that he takes a more traditional approach to parenting. He explained the importance of keeping them active during this year’s Wimbledon Championships.
Out of the two parents I am the one that is responsible for their activities, sports, healthy lifestyle,” he admitted in a studio interview with the Tennis Channel.
With Jelena standing nearby, he continued: “I want them… she is rolling her eyes right now as I am speaking (pointing to her and laughing). I keep on in a way reminding them how important it is to be active, just do sports.
“I mean whether it is tennis or whatever it is, just be active, be out there. So I try to take them on with me on tennis every day, even if it’s the match day I want them to be here with me.
Although a devoted family man, Djokovic has been down to business at the Davis Cup. He followed up his routine singles triumph by beating the Greek duo of Aristotelis Thanos and Petros Tsitsipas in three sets on Sunday, alongside fellow Serb Hamad Medjedovic.
Djokovic’s next move remains to be seen. He recently admitted that he will no longer be cramming his schedule full of tournaments, but rather continue representing Serbia and competing in Grand Slams as matters of priority.
