Novak Djokovic Melts Hearts As He Involves Kids Stefan and Tara in French Open 1R Celebration

At 39 years old, Novak Djokovic arrived at the 2026 French Open seeking his elusive 25th Grand Slam title. Despite a reduced schedule earlier in the season and lingering questions about a nagging shoulder issue, the Serb proved once again that there’s still more to do for him in the sport. While making a historic 82nd main draw appearance at a Grand Slam, the most in men’s tennis history, Djokovic was relaxed on the Parisian clay, celebrating with his kids.

Novak Djokovic’s Heartwarming Post-Match Moment With Kids Caps French Open Win

Djokovic’s opening match on the Court Philippe-Chatrier was far from a walk in the park. He faced 22-year-old Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who fired massive serves clocking in at 223 kph (139 mph), in the nearly three-hour battle. Perricard stunned the crowd by taking the first set 7-5, becoming the first player in 16 years to take an opening-round set off Djokovic at Roland Garros. But Djokovic weathered the storm. In the second set he turned the tide and won 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

After clinching match point, Djokovic had a celebratory dance that quickly went viral on social media. He also bypassed the post-match routines to connect with his family. The Roland Garros cameras captured the 24-time Grand Slam champion sharing a secret handshake with his son, Stefan and hugged his daughter, Tara, and his wife of over a decade, Jelena.

Djokovic and Jelena are high school sweethearts who got married in July 2014. Their kids Stefan, 11, and Tara, 8, have been constant presence in Djokovic’s player box at major tournaments around the world. Stefan, who is passionate about the sport, is often seen even mimicking his father’s groundstrokes on the practice courts.

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“If he decides to play tennis, I will support him with all my heart. But he will have a very difficult path ahead of him. Playing doubles with my son is a dream. If I play against him, I’ll give him a beating,” Djokovic said in February.

In the second round, Djokovic will face another French player, Valentin Royer, who advanced easily through his first-round matchup in straight sets and will look to pull off the upset of a lifetime. But for Djokovic to lift the French Open trophy once more, he has a complex field to navigate, though the draw has opened up slightly after Carlos Alcaraz had to skip the tournament with a wrist injury. Jannik Sinner, whom Djokovic defeated in an epic five-set Australian Open semifinal earlier this year, is there as the biggest favorite. However, the seeding dictates that Djokovic and Sinner can only face each other in the final.