Novak Djokovic’s personal pain point revealed ahead of Fritz clash at US Open 2025: ‘Don’t remind me of that’

Novak Djokovic has increasingly prioritised spending time with his family over tennis in recent times, but his blistering run at the US Open 2025 is going to force him to miss a major family event. The 38-year-old Djokovic, who is aiming to win his 25th Grand Slam, faces Taylor Fritz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday at the US Open.

However, as a result of his last eight match, Djokovic will be missing the birthday of her daughter Tara, which falls on the day of the match against Fritz.

Djokovic: ‘Don’t want to miss children’s birthdays’

Asked about missing the family event, Djokovic was quick to reply that it is becoming increasingly frustrating for him to miss major family functions due to his time on the tour.

“It is what it is,” Djokovic said. “We predicted that might happen. She was not very happy about it, me being absent from the birthday party. So, don’t remind me of that, please.

“Those are types of things that I really don’t want to be missing anymore. So, it’s just on a personal level for me important to be there, to show up, you know, for the people that have been showing up for me for all these years playing tennis.”

Djokovic added that he will try to compensate for his absence by trying to beat Fritz and sending Tara some “nice” gifts. “At least I’m going to try to win and give her that kind of present, as I’m going to send some nice presents for her birthday party,” he added.

“Hopefully, the win can be something she can be happy with. But again, yeah, daddy away and daddy present is a big difference. And I know that I, but it is what it is this year.”

‘I’m not chasing the rankings’

Djokovic last won the US Open in 2023, which was his last Grand Slam win as well. While his tennis future has been a subject of speculation lately, Djokovic recently said that he wants to spend more time with his family and that rankings and tour points are not his priorities anymore.

“I decided not to play (US Open warm-up tournaments) because I wanted to spend more time with my family,” Djokovic said before the start of the US Open 2025. “And to be honest, you know, I think I earned my right and have the luxury of kind of choosing, picking and choosing where I want to go and what I want to play.

“It’s just not any more prioritising the heavy schedule as I used to. I’m not chasing the rankings or building up my points or defending, et cetera. I just don’t think about it anymore.

“For me, it’s really about where do I find motivation and joy? Where will I be inspired to play the best tennis? And where do I care to be, really, and play? And Slams are obviously the four main tournaments where I always feel the most motivation.”