Tennis superstar Novak Djokovic has revealed that his father led a “secret” life, getting involved with “criminals” and “car chases” as part of efforts to financially support his son`s burgeoning career.
Djokovic, 38, widely considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, boasts an extraordinary record, including 24 Grand Slam titles, 100 tournament wins, a record 428 weeks at World No. 1, and over £138 million in prize money.
This immense success stands in stark contrast to his challenging childhood in war-torn Serbia, where he witnessed dead bodies and his family lacked a stable home due to the bombings in Belgrade.
Although he could have pursued football or skiing, Djokovic chose tennis. Funding his path, however, was a constant struggle for his family.
His father, Srdjan, a former footballer, went to extreme lengths, particularly to fund a crucial trip to the United States. This trip was essential for competing in major junior tournaments and meeting with the influential IMG management agency.
Speaking on Slaven Bilic`s Neuspjeh Prvaka podcast, Djokovic described the risky situations his father faced. He admitted his relationship with Srdjan is “complex.”
Djokovic recounted, “The first time I went to America at 15 or 16 to play in the Prince Cup and Orange Bowl, we had never been before and were coming from Serbia where the reputation was not the best.”
“We simply couldn`t afford it – the club helped a bit, the [tennis] federation barely.”
He explained the financial burden: “For such a big undertaking as travelling to the United States, it was necessary to save up a large amount of money, which at the time, for the trip, accommodation, and everything else, amounted to around $5,000 dollars (£3,680). To stay there and support everything, it was necessary to ensure that there was enough money, in all aspects.”
“And, at that time, finding that amount was practically impossible,” Djokovic stated.
He then revealed the dark side of seeking funds: “My father turned to those famous loan sharks, criminals who at the time were the only ones willing to lend money on demand, but at very high interest rates.”
“When he went to ask for the money, my father said how much he needed and why. They asked, `Are you in a hurry?` He said he was in a hurry because the tournaments were starting soon. And they said, `Well, the interest is… I don`t know, 15-20 per cent, but since you`re in a hurry, it`ll be 30 per cent.`”
Djokovic added, “What could he do? He gritted his teeth, held out his hand and said, `Well, whatever it is, I`ll find a way to pay you back.`”
He also hinted at untold stories from those “difficult times,” stating there are “stories that you can`t tell publicly.”
These included dangerous situations like “Car chases and stuff, while trying to survive.”
“In the end, he managed to pay everything back, but it was a very difficult time,” Djokovic said. “This story, which I didn`t know at the time, was kept secret from me.”
Djokovic`s ascent to the pinnacle of tennis has secured his family`s financial future, with significant earnings from prize money and major endorsement deals.
In the podcast interview, Djokovic also discussed his past struggles with feeling “unwanted” and “unappreciated” compared to rivals like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and his desire for the tennis world`s acceptance.
He revealed he contemplated quitting tennis in 2018 after a first-round loss at the Miami Open.
However, seeing his wife Jelena and son Stefan playing tennis during a family vacation inspired his return to the sport. He went on to win four of the next six majors after a two-year Grand Slam drought, significantly adding to his trophy count.
