Novak Djokovic revealed the painful sacrifice his family made to support his dream of becoming the world number one in tennis. In 1999, while the Federal Republic of Yugoslavia was facing the final phase of the Kosovo War, the young Serbian, then just 11 years old, dreamed big, but the path was not easy for him or for his younger brothers, Marko and Djordje.
The Djokovic family survived the conflict, but the financial difficulties that followed made life complicated. Novak's parents did everything to support his ambitions in tennis, a sport that requires financial investment from an early age. However, the younger brothers did not have the same opportunity, as supporting three players simultaneously was unfeasible. “My two younger brothers also wanted to play tennis, but they did not receive the same support that I did,” Djokovic revealed on CBS Mornings. “My parents felt bad, but they had to make a choice. So, I vowed to myself that I would give back to my parents and brothers so they could have the best life possible.”
At 12 years old, a conversation with his father marked a decisive turning point. “I had no other option but to succeed,” Djokovic said at the Fanatics Fest 2026 in New York. “My dad put $10 on the table and said, ‘this is all we have.’ I had to mature, take on responsibilities, suppress emotions, and stop being just a child to become more serious.” That determination and seriousness are still visible when Djokovic steps onto the court, shaped by the adversities of his childhood in Belgrade.
Djokovic's journey culminated in the achievement of 24 Grand Slam titles, tying Margaret Court as the player with the most trophies on the circuit. Beyond his triumphs on the court, the Serbian fulfilled the promise made to his family, changing the fate of his loved ones and honoring the sacrifices made by his siblings. “Novak is a great inspiration to me,” confessed Djordje, acknowledging how the three brothers had to grow up early, away from home, always pushing each other to improve.
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Despite his tremendous success, Djokovic never pressures Marko and Djordje to follow the same path in tennis. “They had to overcome challenges greater than many in their generation. I try to support their careers, but I avoid constantly talking about tennis so as not to harm our brotherly relationship, which is what I value most,” the champion explained. “I want to be able to talk freely with them, not just about tennis. Whenever they want to chat, we are comfortable. We have a fantastic relationship.”
The story of the greatest tennis player from Serbia is also the story of a family that, in difficult times, made tough choices to make a dream come true. The courage and silent support of his siblings were the foundation that allowed Djokovic to reach the top of the tennis world. Idemo, Novak!
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