Jelena Djokovic steps into focus as Novak chases Wimbledon history

For British tennis fans following Novak Djokovic's latest Wimbledon run, attention has extended beyond Centre Court to the family members who have supported his career. His wife, Jelena Djokovic, is a regular presence at major tournaments and also leads the charitable foundation the couple created together. As Djokovic pursues a record 25th Grand Slam title at SW19, renewed interest has centred on their long relationship, two children and Jelena's willingness to speak publicly about tennis controversies.

Context & Background

Novak and Jelena first met while attending school in Serbia and began their relationship in 2005. Their early years together included periods of long distance as their respective sporting and academic paths developed.

The couple married in Montenegro in July 2014 after nearly a decade together. They have two children: Stefan, born in October 2014, and Tara, born in September 2017. Jelena is frequently seen in Djokovic's player box alongside members of the family during major tournaments.

Her role is not limited to supporting her husband from the stands. Jelena is the global CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which the couple co-founded to support access to early childhood education. The Daily Express also reports that she has a master's degree in luxury brand management.

Here's What Happened

Interest in Jelena has risen again during Wimbledon as Djokovic continues his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title. The 39-year-old has won seven Wimbledon championships and was due to face Felix Auger-Aliassime on Tuesday as his 2026 campaign continued.

Several British outlets have also highlighted the scale of Djokovic's career earnings. He has collected $193.5 million (£144.8 million) in prize money over two decades, while his estimated net worth has been placed at about $250 million (£187 million). A further £3.6 million was available to the men's singles champion at Wimbledon.

His earnings have been supplemented by commercial partnerships. The supplied reports name Asics, Head, Hublot, Lacoste and Peugeot among the brands connected with Djokovic, alongside partnerships involving Lemero, NetJets, Raiffeisen Bank International and Ultimate Software Group.

That financial story has brought a fresh spotlight to the family behind one of tennis's most successful careers. Yet Jelena has also attracted attention in her own right, particularly when she has commented publicly on incidents involving other players.

The Response

Earlier in 2026, Jelena criticised Naomi Osaka following the Australian Open match between Osaka and Sorana Cirstea. Cirstea had been frustrated by Osaka shouting 'come on' between first and second serves, and the match ended with a tense exchange at the net.

Hm, I'm surprised that this is not being called hindrance.

Jelena argued that a point was not finished while Cirstea prepared for her second serve and questioned whether Osaka's behaviour should have been treated differently by the chair umpire. Her intervention reinforced the public image of a spouse who does more than simply watch from the stands.

The Bigger Picture

For Wimbledon audiences in Britain, the renewed focus on Jelena reflects how Djokovic's career has become a family story as well as a sporting one. She has been alongside him since before his rise to the top level, while their children are now old enough to be visible supporters at major events.

The scale of Djokovic's sporting success also explains why interest in his family remains high. He has won 24 major titles, 100 singles titles and seven Wimbledon crowns, while spending a record 428 weeks at world No. 1 across 13 different years, according to the supplied AOL profile.

Jelena's own responsibilities give that attention another dimension. As the leader of the couple's foundation, she has an established professional role connected to early childhood education, while her public comments show that she is prepared to enter wider discussions around the sport.

The Road Ahead

Djokovic's immediate focus remains Wimbledon and his pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title. An eighth men's singles crown at SW19 would add another major achievement to a career that already includes seven Wimbledon victories.

As long as his run continues, his family is likely to remain part of the public story around the tournament, with Jelena's presence and profile drawing attention alongside the tennis itself.