Share

Kids keep me grounded - Djokovic

New York - Novak Djokovic admits his slump-busting Wimbledon victory came as a relief, but now that he's a father of two it's not tennis that determines whether he's happy or not. 

"There is a lot more happening in my life than tennis only," the 13-time Grand Slam winner said after reaching the quarter-finals of the US Open on Monday. 

"Of course I do feel better if I win a tennis match that I worked very hard for. If I lose it it's not going to change the course of my every day for a certain period. 

"Things have changed," added Djokovic, whose son Stefan was born in October of 2014 before he and wife Jelena welcomed daughter Tara in September of last year. "So there are things that make you happy even when you lose a tennis match." 

Djokovic's affinity for children was on display in his post-match press conference, when a pair of pint-sized reporters were given the chance to ask the final question - who on tour does the best impression of the Serbian star. 

Djokovic said it used to be American Andy Roddick, but now is Nick Kyrgios. 

One of the children offered his own impression of Djokovic's raised-arm victory celebration and was delighted when Djokovic promptly took off his hat and handed it to him. 

Djokovic was then headed out from the Billie Jean King National Tennis Centre to see his own kids. 

With a possible quarter-final clash with Roger Federer looming he wasn't sure he'd have time to catch the Swiss great's match with John Millman on TV. 

"I'm going first try to put the kids to sleep," he said. "When you go home there is no tennis number one, family is number one. 

"If I have time I will have a look."

US Open results on Monday, the eighth day of the 2018 tournament at Flushing Meadows (x denotes seeded player):

Men

Fourth round

Marin Cilic (CRO x7) bt David Goffin (BEL x10) 7-6 (8/6), 6-2, 6-4

Kei Nishikori (JPN x21) bt Philipp Kohlschreiber (GER) 6-3, 6-2, 7-5

Novak Djokovic (SRB x6) bt Joao Sousa (POR) 6-3, 6-4, 6-3

John Millman (AUS) bt Roger Federer (SUI x2) 3-6, 7-5, 7-6 (9/7), 7-6 (7/3)

Women

Fourth round

Carla Suarez Navarro (ESP x30) bt Maria Sharapova (RUS x22) 6-4, 6-3

Madison Keys (USA x14) bt Dominika Cibulkova (SVK x29) 6-1, 6-3

Naomi Osaka (JPN x20) bt Aryna Sabalenka (BLR x26) 6-3, 2-6, 6-4

Lesia Tsurenko (UKR) bt Marketa Vondrousova (CZE) 6-7 (3/7), 7-5, 6-2

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should the Proteas pick Faf du Plessis for the T20 World Cup in West Indies and the United States in June?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Faf still has a lot to give ...
67% - 947 votes
No! It's time to move on ...
33% - 465 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE