Novak Djokovic has said he will do everything in his power to support his son Stefan if he decides to follow in his footsteps, but the Serb wants to make sure the seven-year-old doesn’t feel pressured to pursue a career in tennis. Footage of the 20-time Grand Slam winner training with his son circulated on social media earlier this week and Djokovic also posted side-by-side photos of them hitting a forehand on Twitter, with the caption “so cool to see that”.
In May, Djokovic said his son won his first tournament on the same day he won the Italian Open, describing their success as a “double sun”. “I try to use every opportunity available…to play with him because he’s completely immersed in tennis right now,” Djokovic told reporters after his win over Tim van Rijthoven at Wimbledon on Sunday.
“All around tennis, how he can play, he watches, he analyses. I will support him in any way I can so he can be a professional tennis player…if he really wants to.” But it’s too early to talk about it, to be honest. He’s not even eight years old. It’s important to me that we have a father and son relationship…first and foremost, and that he enjoys life.”
Djokovic also said it was important for his son to be exposed to a variety of sports. “I think it’s very important to have, especially at this young age, a lot of stimulation for kids from different perspectives and different sports and different movements, different activities,” Djokovic said.
Six-time Wimbledon champion Djokovic will face Italy’s 10th seed Jannik Sinner in the quarter-finals.
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