Novak Djokovic’s relationship with wife Jelena was once called into question by John McEnroe during a dip in form.
Novak Djokovic has repeatedly defended his wife – particularly when John McEnroe questioned their relationship. The tennis world No.1 was seen in a heated conversation with other half Jelena this week.
They exchanged words during his French Open fourth-round victory over Francisco Cerundolo, during which he was suffering from a knee injury that has since seen him pull out of the tournament. Both appeared animated after Djokovic had made a mistake in the fifth set.
“I had a small exchange of smiles with Jelena. She is my new psychologist,” he explained post-match. It’s far from the first time she’s been in the limelight.
Back in 2017, McEnroe compared Djokovic’s dip in form to the problems golf icon Tiger Woods had after splitting from wife Elin Nordegren. The American claimed he was having “off-court issues with the family”.
McEnroe added: “The person that comes to mind immediately with Novak is not a tennis player, it’s actually a golfer: Tiger Woods. Woods had the issues with his wife and then he seemed to go completely off the rails.
“He’s never been even close to being the same player. So we’re starting to say: ‘Wait a minute, is this possible with him, Djokovic?'”
