No family, but an old fig tree for company as Djokovic chases Grand Slam No 25 at Australian Open 2026: 'It’s a beautiful connection'

Novak Djokovic’s Mission Grand Slam No 25 at the Australian Open 2026 is being played without his family in his box, but an old fig tree in Melbourne is giving him company. Djokovic has two children with his wife Jelena - Stefan, 11, and Tara, eight. While they have been regular to tennis tournaments with Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star has come this time without them.

The 38-year-old Djokovic was asked about the absence of his kids in his box at the Rod Laver Arena on Thursday after he won his 101st match at the Aus Open 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 over Italian qualifier Francesco Maestrelli to progress to the third round.

Djokovic explains no family in his box at Aus Open

While he won during daytime in Australia, it must have been late at night in Athens, Greece, where his family now lives. Djokovic said that his kids are his biggest supporters, but they had to stay back home to focus on bigger priorities like “school and homework.”

“No, no, absolutely not (Djokovic said on the kids staying up late to watch his matches). They are sleeping right now. There are some more important priorities for them, you know, school, homework, their own activities," he said.

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“But look, there are no better and bigger supporters that I’ve had than my wife and my kids, for sure, in my life, other than, of course, my family and my brothers, my parents. When I became a father, one of the greatest wishes and dreams I had was to have my kids grow old enough so they realise what is going on, on the court, and what their dad is doing.

Novak Djokovic: “When I became a father, one of my greatest wishes was for my kids to grow old enough to understand what their daddy is doing. I’m very happy.” 🥹❤️

“My son wanted to be here. He wants to do anything to avoid school. Understandable.” 😂😭pic.twitter.com/M2REr4JD8d

— Danny (@DjokovicFan_) January 22, 2026

“I’ve been very blessed and lucky to experience them watching me in some of the greatest matches I’ve played in my career in the last five, six years. I couldn’t be more happy with that. Obviously, right now, it’s all about them. Their chores, their obligations and activities.”

Also Read | Why Novak Djokovic is moving his family from Serbia as kids start school abroad

Djokovic’s son Stefan is a big tennis fan and has been seen practising with his father quite often, but the tennis great said that he decided to leave him at home as he is growing up now.

“My son wanted to come but, you know, he wants to do everything in order to avoid school, which is understandable! Also, he likes tennis, he likes his daddy as well. But no, I mean, not having them this year, obviously it’s a bit different but I know they are always with me in my heart.”

Djokovic’s friend is a fig tree

The world No 4 Djokovic also opened up on visiting an old fig tree in Melbourne, which he called his “oldest friend” in the city.

“That’s my oldest friend here in Melbourne, he’s been there always to heal my wounds, to basically give me company even when I didn’t want anybody else’s company,” Djokovic joked.

“It’s a beautiful connection, nature is such a powerful ally. We sometimes forget about it in this fast-paced life. Melbourne is an incredible city, but for me, my by far favourite place is Botanic Gardens. You guys have one of the nicest parks in the centre of any town I’ve seen. That tree right there is in Botanic Gardens, it is a Brazilian fig tree. I’m not going to tell more secrets about it! But yeah, we have a friendship that is going over 20 years.”

Djokovic faces Botic van de Zandschulp in the third round on Saturday.