Novak Djokovic opens up on the heartbreak of being away from his family to win the Australian Open | Daily Mail Online

Family might end up being the only thing that can stop tennis ace Novak Djokovic, with the Serbian star admitting it is becoming harder to stay away from his wife and children for long periods.

Djokovic reclaimed his mantle as world No.1 after winning a record 10th Australian Open in Sunday night’s final against Stefanos Tsitsipas, also drawing level with Rafael Nadal on 22 grand slam titles.

Djokovic roars after winning the 2023 Australian Open and reclaiming his mantle as the world’s best tennis player – but the win was tinged with sadness

Novak with his wife Jelena Djokovic. He credits her support for helping him chase his tennis dreams all over the world

The Djokovic family including children Stefan and Tara enjoy some time together during a rare break in their father’s hectic tennis schedule

It was an emotional win after he was deported from Australia in 2022, banned from the US Open and upset by young gun Holger Rune in the final of the Paris Masters.

The Serbian star broke down after the victory as the emotions spilled over.

Now fans are asking how long the 35-year-old will continue, with just one more grand slam title required to become the greatest of all time in the slam era.

In an ominous warning to rival players, Djokovic said he feels mentally and physically ready to play on.

A SNAPSHOT OF NOVAK’S GREATNESS

Djokovic with the Australian Open trophy

Djokovic’s win over Stefanos Tsitsipas was a record 10th Australian Open Title. It also means he draws level with Rafael Nadal on 22 career slams and restores his ranking as world No.1

He is the only player to spend 373 weeks as world No.1 on the ATP Tour and the only player to finish 7 years in the top spot.

Djokovic is the only man to win 37 ATP Masters titles

He is also the only male to win all Masters titles at least twice and joins Nadal as the only men to have won all four grand slams twice

!- – ad: https://mads.dailymail.co.uk/v8/us/sport/tennis/article/other/mpu_factbox.html?id=mpu_factbox_1 – ->

‘I feel game-wise physically I still can sustain and maintain the top level,’ he said.

‘So as long as that’s the case, why not keep going?’

But the world No.1 admits he doesn’t know how long that motivation will stick with him because of the ongoing pressures of being a parent.

Djokovic is a proud father to Stefan, 7, and Tara, 4.

His family did not make the trip to Australia this time around and Djokovic admits that being apart from his loved ones could be a determining factor when it comes to his retirement.

‘I don’t know when the end is going to happen in terms of professional career,’ he said.

Djokovic breaks down with his supporters after the Australian Open win that meant so so much after he was deported in 2022 and also banned form competing in the US Open

‘Right now I have the motivation, I have support of the close ones, which is also something that is probably underestimated and not maybe talked about a lot, but it’s a key, especially as a father.

‘Being absent from the children is not something that makes me very happy. It’s a balancing act between me and my wife and the close people in my life.

‘So her being there for our children and everything, it allows me to be able to do what I love and still make some strides, significant strides, in this sport.’

However fans of the tennis superstar should not be worried about him retiring anytime soon, as Djokovic said the motivation still burns as strong as ever.

‘Of course, I have professional goals and ambitions. Those are grand slams and being No.1 in the world,’ he said.

‘Those two probably pinnacles of the professional tennis world have always been there as goals for me. So I do want to make more history of this sport, no doubt.’