Novak Djokovic Opens Up About Parenting Challenge: 'If All Their Friends Have a Phone, They Ask for One Too'

June 27, 2026 - 19:39

Tennis star Novak Djokovic has opened up about the challenges of raising children in a digital age, admitting that the pressure to give in to technology is real. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who shares two children with his wife Jelena, says he is convinced that screens can be harmful at a young age. Because of this, he and his wife take a careful approach, aiming to protect their kids before they are inevitably exposed to the wider digital world.

In a recent interview, Djokovic explained that the hardest part is when his children see their friends using phones or tablets. "If all their friends have a phone, they ask for one too," he said. He described the balancing act of wanting to keep his kids away from screens while also not making them feel left out among their peers. Djokovic acknowledged that complete avoidance is unrealistic, but he and his wife are committed to delaying that exposure as long as possible. The Serbian star, known for his discipline on the court, is now applying that same mindset to parenting, hoping to instill healthy habits before the digital world takes over.