Now 39 years old, Djokovic is still in pursuit of history in the game’s biggest tournaments and is now tennis’ most decorated man. From a war-torn childhood in Belgrade to a record 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic’s story is one of relentless discipline and longevity.
This article covers his age, wife, net worth, Grand Slam record, current ranking, and the latest updates on his 2026 season.
Early Years
Novak Djokovic was born on 22 May 1987 in Belgrade, in what was then Yugoslavia. He picked up a racket at age four after his ski-coach father gave him a mini-set, and by age six he was training under the respected coach Jelena Genčić, who helped shape his early technique and mental approach to the game. His childhood coincided with the Yugoslav wars and NATO bombing of Belgrade, a backdrop that has often been cited in accounts of his resilience. At 12, he moved to Germany to train at the Pilic Tennis Academy, and by 14 he was already winning international junior titles. His family took out loans to fund his early training, a sacrifice Djokovic has said he has repaid many times over.
Career Journey
Djokovic turned professional in 2003 and won his first ATP Tour title in 2006 at the Dutch Open. His break came in 2008 when he won his first Grand Slam at the Australian Open, ending the “Fedal” dominance of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. By 2011, he had achieved World No. 1 for the first time, winning three of the four majors that year and forming what became known as tennis’s “Big Three” alongside Federer and Nadal.
In 2016, he completed a career Grand Slam by winning the French Open, becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four majors at once. His career has included a difficult stretch in 2022, when his opposition to COVID-19 vaccination rules led to his deportation from Australia ahead of that year’s Australian Open. He returned in 2023 to reclaim the title and soon after set the all-time record for men’s Grand Slam singles titles.
In 2024, Djokovic finally won Olympic gold at the Paris Games, defeating Carlos Alcaraz in the final and completing a career “Golden Slam.” That same year he split from long-time coach Goran Ivanisevic in early 2025, briefly worked with Andy Murray, and now trains with Dusan Vemic and Boris Bosnjakovic.
Grand Slam Record and Career Statistics
Djokovic holds the men’s all-time record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, a mark built across a widely cited breakdown of 10 Australian Opens, 7 Wimbledon titles, 4 US Opens and 3 French Opens. He also holds the record for most Grand Slam finals reached, with 38 appearances, and is the only man to complete a “triple Career Grand Slam” — winning each major at least three times.
Beyond the majors, he has won a record 40 ATP Masters 1000 titles and is the first player to complete a career Golden Masters, a feat he has achieved twice. He has been ranked World No. 1 for a record 428 weeks, finished as year-end No. 1 a record eight times, and has been ranked No. 1 at some point in a record 13 different years. He has won 101 ATP Tour-level singles titles in total.
Where He Stands in 2026
The 2026 season has been a mixed one. Djokovic reached the final of the Australian Open at age 38, defeating Jannik Sinner in the semi-final, but lost to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets — a result that made Alcaraz the youngest man to complete a career Grand Slam. He later withdrew from the Miami Open with a shoulder issue, feeding into ongoing questions about his durability against a younger generation led by Alcaraz and Sinner.
At Wimbledon 2026, however, he produced a milestone: a fourth-round win over Roman Safiullin gave him 106 men’s singles match wins at the All England Club, breaking Roger Federer’s previous record of 105. As of early July 2026, he was seeded seventh at Wimbledon and continuing his pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title.
Current ATP Ranking: As of 6 July 2026, Djokovic is ranked World No. 8 with 3,760 points, having been as high as World No. 3 earlier in the year. His career-high ranking remains No. 1.
Personal Life: Wife and Children
Novak Djokovic is married to Jelena Djokovic (née Ristić). The pair attended the same high school in Belgrade and began dating in 2005. They got engaged in September 2013 and married in July 2014 in a ceremony on the coast of Montenegro. Jelena studied luxury brand management at Bocconi University in Milan and now leads the Novak Djokovic Foundation, a charity focused on early childhood education in Serbia, which Djokovic founded in 2007.
The couple have two children: a son, Stefan, born in October 2014, and a daughter, Tara, born in September 2017. Djokovic has repeatedly credited his family as a grounding influence throughout his career, and reports indicate the family has spent time based in Greece in recent years.
Net Worth
Novak Djokovic’s net worth is estimated at around $240 million as of 2026, though as with most celebrity net worth figures, this is a media estimate rather than a confirmed audited figure and should be treated as an approximate range. This is built on career prize money reported at roughly $186–192 million — the highest of any tennis player in history — along with endorsement income estimated at around $25 million a year from brands including Lacoste, Asics, Head, Hublot, and Raiffeisen Bank International. Some outlets report the combined net worth of Novak and Jelena Djokovic at closer to $260 million, though these figures vary by source and should not be taken as precise.
Interesting Facts About Novak Djokovic
- He is the only man in tennis history to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously across three different surfaces.
- He has won a record seven ATP Finals (year-end championship) titles.
- He completed the “Golden Slam” (all four majors plus Olympic gold) at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
- He was deported from Australia in 2022 over his COVID-19 vaccination status, only to return and win the title the following year.
- He has been named Laureus World Sportsman of the Year five times, tied with Roger Federer for the most of any athlete.
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Novak Djokovic? He was born on 22 May 1987, making him 39 years old as of July 2026.
Who is Novak Djokovic’s wife? His wife is Jelena Djokovic (née Ristić), whom he married in July 2014. They have two children, Stefan and Tara.
How many Grand Slams has Novak Djokovic won? He has won a record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
What is Novak Djokovic’s net worth? Estimates place his net worth at approximately $240 million as of 2026, based largely on career prize money and endorsement deals.
What is Novak Djokovic’s current ranking? As of 6 July 2026, he is ranked World No. 8, though his ranking fluctuates throughout the season based on tournament results.
Conclusion
Novak Djokovic, 39, is still defying the career arc of a typical professional athlete, still going deep in Grand Slam tournaments and setting new records even as a new generation led by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner rises around him. Whether he adds a 25th major to his collection remains one of the most closely watched storylines in tennis.
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