Novak loses Wimbledon spotlight to another Djokovic

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AS he fronted a courtside interview minutes after wrapping up his fourth Wimbledon title, Novak Djovokic’s head swivelled at the sound of his three-year-old son’s voice, echoing excitedly from the family and friends box.

“Daddy!” Stefan shouted, pointing to his father on centre court who hadn’t even managed to answer the first question.

It was a moment that melted the hearts of everyone watching in person and at home on television, and one Djokovic senior will cherish.

“It feels amazing because for the first time in my life, I have someone screaming ‘daddy, daddy!’ and it’s that little boy right there,” he said before cameras panned to Stefan.

The crowd erupted. Stefan clapped along, unaware he’d stolen the show before breaking into a grin when he saw his own face on the big screen.

“He’s under five years old so he couldn’t watch the matches live but we were hoping that if this happens – if I hold the trophy – the he can be there to witness it,” Djokovic continued.

“I can’t be happier. I mean I’m very emotional for him being there and my wife, obviously, and my whole team.”

Under the All England Lawn Club’s traditional rules, babies and children under five can watch matches on outside courts, but can’t attend games in main courts 1, 2, 3, 12 and 18.

Restrictions notwithstanding, Djokovic pinpointed his son as inspiration for the remarkable comeback victory, claiming his fourth Wimbledon gong with a straight sets win over towering South African Kevin Anderson (6-2, 6-2, 7-6).

“Actually, I didn’t talk about it but it was one of, if not the biggest, motivation I’ve had for this Wimbledon this year,” he said.

“I was visualising, imagining this moment of him coming to the stands, cherishing this moment with my wife and me and everyone. It’s hard to describe.

“I never had him in the box watching the tennis match. I was hoping that Wimbledon can be that tournament because he’s big enough now, I think to stay quiet maybe for 30 minutes or so.

“There are special rules here so we have to respect them.”

Djokovic also opened up on the doubts he had over whether he could return to his best, following surgery to correct a serious elbow injury in February.

“I had to really trust the process and I’ve said this before, I had to trust in myself,” Djokovic said.

“I had the surgery and was absent from the tour for six months and faced for the first time, this kind of severe injury.

“I didn’t really (what was) expected of me. I had many moments of doubt and didn’t know really if I could come back to the level to compete.

“This was my first Grand Slam final after a couple of years and there’s no better place to really make a comeback.”