“Novak Djokovic told me he was quitting tennis” – When Serb’s wife Jelena revealed how ‘horrible’ Miami Open defeat affected his mentality

Novak Djokovic has faced countless challenges throughout his legendary career, but one of his most emotional moments came after a devastating loss at the Miami Open. His wife, Jelena Djokovic, once revealed how the defeat pushed the Serbian star to the brink of quitting tennis altogether.

“It’s Over” – The Emotional Moment Novak Wanted to Walk Away

“He told me he was quitting tennis,” Jelena recalled. “He had just lost in Miami—a horrible defeat. He gathered us all and said, ‘It’s over. Eduardo (Artaldi, his former agent), you can talk to my sponsors. I don’t know if I’m going to stop for six days, a year, or forever.'”

She described how the family was overwhelmed by emotions, pleading with him not to make such a drastic decision.

“I’m like, ‘But you can’t quit!’ And we’re crying, saying, ‘What are you doing? This is not the time!'” Jelena added.

What Changed Djokovic’s Mind?

Fortunately, Djokovic’s love for tennis never truly faded. Jelena revealed that she and their children continued playing tennis for fun, unintentionally drawing Novak back to the sport.

“I kept taking the kids to play tennis. On the third or fourth day, he showed up. He saw us having fun, playing without pressure, and it reminded him why he loved the sport in the first place.”

This heartwarming moment helped Djokovic rediscover his passion and step back onto the court, continuing his journey as one of the greatest players in history.

A Testament to Resilience

Djokovic has built a career on resilience, overcoming adversity time and again. While his Miami Open loss tested him mentally, the support of his family helped him find joy in tennis once more.

What do you think—was this a turning point in Djokovic’s career, or just another example of his mental toughness?