Novak Djokovic concluded the 2022 season in remarkable style, securing his fifth title of the year. In a thrilling showdown against Casper Ruud at the 2022 ATP Finals, the Serbian champion emerged victorious with a 7-5, 6-3 triumph, solidifying his legacy with a record-matching sixth title at this prestigious event. This achievement tied him with the legendary Roger Federer for the most titles in the tournament’s history.
In addition to equalling Roger Federer’s record, Djokovic joined the current World No. 1, Carlos Alcaraz, in the race for the most titles won in the year, as the victory in Turin marked his fifth of the season. Despite facing setbacks due to his vaccination status, Djokovic continued to exhibit his excellence whenever he had the opportunity to compete.
Djokovic’s struggles throughout the season have been widely recognized. While his decision not to get vaccinated and accept the associated consequences was a personal one, the handling of his case raised concerns, as he seemed to become a political pawn. This undoubtedly had an impact on Djokovic, to the extent that he even contemplated retirement during this challenging period. However, his wife, Jelena Djokovic, made it clear that such thoughts were off-limits.
Taking to her Instagram account, Jelena expressed her admiration for her champion husband and firmly dismissed any retirement notions. She shared two separate posts on Instagram, one featuring photos of Novak, and the other depicting the couple, with Jelena seated on Novak’s lap, both proudly holding the ATP Finals trophy.
In one of her posts, Jelena wrote, “This man. I love how he said in the post-match interview that ‘at this point in his career,’ every match is golden. Especially after not playing much this year, every match counts. But honey (pun intended) – what stage of your career? You ain’t going nowhere as long as I’m #NoleFam @djokernole.” The other post was captioned, “I see you ALL IN.”
It’s uncommon for players to have their entire family travel with them on the tour, but Djokovic had his wife and children accompany him to Turin for the ATP Finals this year. While one reason could be the convenience of departing for their off-season trip together immediately after the event, it’s evident that their presence was also a source of support and encouragement.
The entire Djokovic family had been present at this year’s Wimbledon, where Djokovic secured his fourth consecutive Wimbledon title. This victory not only solidified his status as the second man, after Rafael Nadal, to surpass Federer in the Grand Slam race but also brought his major championship count to 21, just one shy of Nadal’s impressive tally of 22 majors.
After enduring a season filled with challenges, it’s heartwarming to witness the Djokovic family enjoying their time together and smiling once again. Novak Djokovic has made it abundantly clear that he is here to stay, determined to continue his dominance in the world of tennis.