Novak Djokovic’s 2018 Retirement U-Turn After Tearful Family Meeting
In 2018, Novak Djokovic, then 30, came close to retiring from tennis after a string of injuries and losses, including a fourth-round Australian Open defeat to Hyeon Chung, a first-round Indian Wells loss to Taro Daniel, and a second-round Miami exit to Benoit Paire. Disillusioned and recovering from elbow surgery, Djokovic gathered his team and wife, Jelena, announcing, “I’m done,” and instructed his agent, Edoardo Artaldi, to tell sponsors, including Lacoste, “I don’t know if I’m stopping for six months, a year, or forever,” per The Mirror. Jelena, in a 2020 interview with Graham Bensinger, recalled the tearful meeting, saying, “We cried and told him it wasn’t the right time,” per Hindustan Times. [](https://www.themirror.com/sport/tennis/novak-djokovic-retirement-french-open-1199065)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-wife-reveals-shocking-retirement-story-on-devastating-2018-loss-he-gathered-all-of-us-and-said-im-done-101737212663558-amp.html)
Despite his firm stance, Jelena and their children, Stefan and Tara, inspired a U-turn. Jelena took the kids to play tennis daily, and on the third day, Djokovic joined, playfully rekindling his love for the sport. “I teased him, saying he quit, so it was our turn,” she said, per Express.co.uk. Within weeks, he resumed training with coach Marian Vajda, leading to 12 more Grand Slam titles, bringing his total to 24, per GB News. Fans on X, like @TennisUpToDate2, reflected on the pivotal moment, noting its impact seven years later. []
Recent 2025 losses, including a French Open semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner, sparked retirement speculation, with Djokovic’s emotional court salute fueling rumors, per GB News. However, he clarified, “I’m not retiring, but I may skip clay to focus on Australia and Wimbledon,” per @DjokovicFan_ on X, signaling continued ambition.
