The Wimbledon champ shares his deepest thoughts in a heartfelt letter to friends and family.
In a heartfelt letter to fans and the general public, written between a "nappy change and a dinosaur’s book," 2018 Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic shared some of the overwhelming emotions he felt after winning Wimbledon and claiming his first major title in more than two years.
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“First of all, let me start by writing that the feeling of having my son in my wife’s arms at the trophy ceremony in the Players box was the most wonderful sensation I have had at any tournament that I have ever won in my career,” the 31-year-old wrote. “When I became a father, one of my biggest dreams was to have my children present at the stands while I am playing. Let alone winning trophies. That dream came true several days ago.”
Already looking forward to more victories ahead, Djokovic said he’d like to experience the same magical feeling with his daughter Tara, who was born last September.
“I have imagined and prayed that one day I would win a Grand Slam trophy in front of my child,” he wrote. “Luckily for me, Tara is growing up and I can’t wait for her to see me do the same as I did in front of Stefan.”
Dear Friends & Family… https://t.co/Ob83np38AS
— Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) July 19, 2018
Djokovic says that becoming a husband and father has opened him up to a new dimension in life.
“[Life] didn’t change,” he wrote, “it evolved into something more beautiful. Of course, more responsibilities add up but at the end of the day, it unlocks a new dimension of Love and Energy inside of you that you never knew existed. And the biggest gift that you receive from God is the enhanced feeling of empathy, compassion and devotion to your kids. But it’s not all clear once you become a father. It takes learning and openness to reach that “golden balance” in Life which everyone is in pursuit for. For me it was balance between tennis, priorities and family.”
Djokovic also talked about the injury challenges he faced, hinting at just how difficult a time it was for him personally and professionaly.
“For the last 2 years, I wasn’t patient with my tennis expectations. I wasn’t wise in strategizing. And I certainly wasn’t clearly hearing my body telling me that there is something serious happening with my elbow. I was trying to find solutions somewhere else and solution was always inside of me.”
He also wrote of the doubt he experienced and how he has come to experience balance in his life.
“I didn’t know if I would be able to get back on the desired level of tennis,” he wrote. “Actually, one part of me always believes in my own qualities and capabilities. But there was a lot of doubtful moments where course of action could have gone different ways.”
And lastly, a comment about the taste of the Wimbledon grass:
“P.S. Wimbledon grass tasted great once more. I would just add some avocado and it would be perfect.”
Djokovic will next take the court at the Rogers Cup in Toronto, which takes place from August 6-12.
