Djokovic entered the competition as the reigning champion but hadn’t consistently been able to show the form that he has showcased throughout his staggering career at this year’s French Open. On Monday with his title defence again on the line, Djokovic found himself a break up at 2-0 in the decisive fifth set, but after conceding a point for 30-30 he was visibly incensed.
He then walked back to pick up more balls to begin his next service, before turning to his family in the box on Court Philippe-Chatrier.After a few seconds the exchange was over and Djokovic returned to what he does best – pulling victories out of the jaws of defeat.
He eventually sealed his spot in the quarter-finals with a 6-3 win in the fifth to make it 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 before withdrawing from the tournament on Tuesday.
Jelena Djokovic, 37, is a self-described ‘curious soul’, and founder of the Novak Djokovic Foundation.
The charity, which she runs with her husband, seeks to help children achieve their full potential by investing in early childhood development, notably in early years education.
Born in Belgrade, Serbia, Jelena left her home country to study abroad when she was 18. She moved to Italy and then to Morocco where she has lived for the last 12 years.
