A grinning Novak Djokovic enjoys spending time along with his kids
Novak Djokovic looked miles away form his temperamental self as he playfully lounged around the tennis court with his young children today.
The legendary player, 37, grinned as he monkeyed around with his six-year-old daughter – just days after blasting Wimbledon crowds following his straight-sets win over Holger Rune.
The athlete sported a casual white shirt and teal shorts as he and his kids enjoyed some quality time.
At one point, he was pictured dangling his laughing daughter by the ankles, and laying down in the grass with her.
He also got his son Stefan, nine, to pick up a racket – and appeared to challenge him to a game of tennis, with Tara also joining in.
Novak Djokovic looked miles away form his temperamental self as he playfully lounged around the tennis court with his young children today
Elsewhere, a cheerful Novak snapped some photos of his kids with a Polaroid camera.
Nick Kyrgios – also a player known for his theatrical moments in the heat of the game, was seen practicing with Novak’s son.
The tennis star shares his children with wife Jelena, 38. She reportedly met her partner in high school and the pair began dating in 2005.
They have been together ever since and were married in the grounds of Montenegro’s exclusive Aman Sveti Stefan resort, back in 2014.
Yesterday he also once again showed off his tender side, as celebrated his ten-year anniversary with his wife – after advancing to the semi-finals of Wimbledon.
He posted several videos and pictures of himself and his partner on the social media platform over the years and penned a 98-word message to his partner in the caption.
Earlier this week, a bizarre interview saw the player furiously claim that he was being booed by watching fans.
The seven-time champion turned his on-court interview into a rant about what he felt were boos directed at him during his straight-sets win on Monday evening, telling the audience: ‘I know all the tricks… you can’t touch me.’
Elsewhere, a cheerful Novak snapped some photos of his kids with a Polaroid camera during day eleven of Wimbledon
The athlete sported a casual white shirt and teal shorts as he and his kids enjoyed some quality time
The legendary player, 37, grinned as he monkeyed around with his six-year-old daughter – just days after blasting Wimbledon crowds following his straight-sets win over Holger Rune
The tennis star shares his children with wife Jelena, 38. She reportedly met her partner in high school and the pair began dating in 2005
Novak looked to be having fun with his kids as he playfully picked his daughter up by the ankles
He also got his son Stefan, nine, to pick up a racket – and appeared to challenge him to a game of tennis, with Tara also joining in
It seemed the crowd were simply cheering ‘Ruuuuuuune’ for his opponent but Novak saw things differently.
‘To all the fans that have had respect and stayed here tonight, I thank you from the bottom of my heart and I appreciate it,’ he began. ‘And to all those people that have chosen to disrespect the player – in this case me – have a goooooooood night.’
BBC interviewer Rishi Persad replied: ‘I am hoping they were just commenting on Rune, and they were not disrespecting you.’
Novak – who has a track record of taking on crowds – insisted: ‘They were. They were [disrespecting me].
It runs in the family! Novak was all smiles as he enjoyed some downtime with his son and daughter today
The athlete grinned as he played around with his kids, showing off his much more tender side off the court
The legendary player enjoyed the sunny day, getting his kids to exercise with him at Wimbledon
Novak’s kids looked animated as they chased a ball around during some down time with their father
The father-of-two looked to be in high spirits as he spent some time looking after his two children at Wimbledon
Tennis pro Nick Kyrgios was snapped practicing with Novak’s son during day eleven of Wimbledon today
‘I am not accepting it. No no no. I know they were cheering for Rune but that’s an excuse to also boo.
‘Listen, I have been on the tour for more than 20 years. I know all the tricks. I know how it works. It’s fine, it’s fine.
‘I focus on the respectful people that pay for the ticket, and love tennis and appreciate the players and the effort the players put in here.
‘I played in much more hostile environments, trust me – you guys can’t touch me.’
In his press conference later, Novak stood by what he had said.
‘When I feel a crowd is stepping over the line, I react,’ he said. ‘I don’t regret my words or actions on the court.’
He also tweeted a photo after the game of him stretching for a ball across the court, with the caption: ‘Sliding into quarters. Goooooooooooood night.’
Nick Kyrgios – who is also known for his on-court moments, told BBC Sport afterwards: ‘It wasn’t [booing] but I think crowds all around the world need to understand that Novak doesn’t need more of a motive to play better.
‘He’s driven, one of the best players in the world and I’ve seen it time and time again, the crowd try to poke the bear and that’s not what you want to do against Novak.
On Monday, Novak was annoyed with the Wimbledon crowd throughout the match, and would not accept the explanation from a BBC interviewer that they had only been backing his opponent
He has not always had the best relationship with the crowd. He is seen blowing them a kiss here after winning match point against Rune
Novak pictured pretending to play a violin during his celebrations as he booked his place in the quarter-finals
Novak was informed that the crowd were likely shouting ‘Runeeee’ but he did not accept this in an interview
‘He loves it. I try not to poke the bear when I play him… and I really struggle with that. Obviously it cost me my Wimbledon final.
‘He doesn’t need more of a motive to go out there and prove to someone he is the greatest of all time.’
Novak’s relationship with the crowd has not always been a friendly one. After beating Roger Federer in the 2019 final, his former coach Boris Becker said he deserved more respect from the crowd who had backed the Swiss star.
And two years ago, he was booed after blowing a kiss to fans following his semi-final win over Briton Cameron Norrie.
Last year, he also played up to the crowd as he took on 20-year-old Spanish star Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
With the crowd backing underdog Alcaraz at times, Djokovic again blew kisses at the fans.
He was also met with boos during the final when he dented the net post by smashing his racket in frustration, argued with the umpire and glared at the Centre Court crowd.
And in January, the tennis superstar screamed at fans to ‘shut the f*** up’ as he hit out at new rules allowing fans to move around between games at the Australian Open.
