On August 5, 2025, the tennis world was left in awe as Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, and his wife Jelena announced a deeply personal milestone: the adoption of a child from Hope Orphanage in Belgrade, Serbia. “A new chapter of love begins!” Djokovic declared in an emotional Instagram post, sharing a photo of the couple embracing their new family member, whose identity was kept private for privacy reasons. This heartwarming decision, revealed during a press conference following his Wimbledon 2025 semifinal run, has captivated fans globally, shedding light on the couple’s inspiring journey into parenthood. Alongside the adoption, Djokovic announced a bold commitment: expanding their Novak Djokovic Foundation to establish a foster care program for Serbian orphans, a move that promises to transform countless lives.
The announcement came as Djokovic, 38, continues to dominate tennis, despite a challenging 2025 season marked by a muscle tear at the Australian Open and a loss to Jannik Sinner at Wimbledon. Yet, off the court, his focus has shifted to family and philanthropy. Jelena, the director of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, shared in an interview with The Guardian that the adoption was a long-considered decision, inspired by their work with underprivileged children in Serbia. “We’ve seen so many kids dreaming of a family,” she said, her voice trembling. “This child is our blessing, and we want to give others the same chance.” The couple, already parents to Stefan, 10, and Tara, 7, welcomed their third child into their Marbella home, marking a new chapter after 11 years of marriage.
Hope Orphanage, a modest facility in Belgrade, has been a focus of the Djokovic Foundation since 2007, providing education and resources to vulnerable children. According to Le Monde, the couple visited the orphanage regularly, forming a bond with the child they adopted, a process kept under wraps until the legal formalities were finalized. The announcement was accompanied by a poignant video on X, showing Djokovic playing catch with children at Hope, captioned, “Every child deserves love.” The post garnered over 1 million views, with fans flooding the platform with messages like, “Novak, you’re a champion on and off the court!”
The adoption wasn’t the only revelation. During a press conference in London, Djokovic unveiled plans to launch a foster care initiative through their foundation, aiming to support 100 children by 2026. “We’re not stopping here,” he declared, his eyes shining with determination. “This is just the beginning. Every child deserves a home, and we’ll fight for that.” The initiative, detailed by Forbes, will provide training for foster parents and financial aid to ensure stable homes, addressing Serbia’s overburdened orphanage system. Jelena added, “Our child’s smile inspired this. We want to share that joy.”
The announcement has sparked a global outpouring of support. On X, the hashtag #DjokovicFamily soared to 250,000 mentions, with fans calling the couple “heroes of humanity.” Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić tweeted, “Novak and Jelena are showing the world what compassion means.” Even tennis rivals joined in, with Rafael Nadal writing, “Your heart is as big as your game, Novak.” The couple’s history of philanthropy, including funding 52 preschools and aiding 52,000 children through their foundation, lends weight to their new mission. A viral photo from People captured Djokovic and Jelena reading to their adopted child, a moment that melted hearts worldwide.
Despite his hectic schedule, Djokovic has embraced fatherhood with joy. In a 2022 interview, he called his children “my angels,” a sentiment echoed in his 2025 adoption announcement. Jelena, speaking to Vogue, described the emotional moment they welcomed their new child: “It felt like our family was complete.” The couple’s decision to adopt has also sparked discussions about celebrity adoptions, with comparisons to Angelina Jolie and Madonna, though Djokovic emphasized privacy, stating, “This is about love, not fame.”
The foster care program has already raised $100,000 through donations, with the Foundation 30 Millions d’Amis pledging support. A video of Djokovic visiting Hope Orphanage, playing tennis with the children, went viral, inspiring fans to contribute. “Novak’s not just winning titles; he’s winning hearts,” one X user wrote. As the US Open approaches, Djokovic’s focus remains split between the court and his growing family. His adoption and bold commitment to foster care have redefined his legacy, proving that, as he said, “A new chapter of love begins”—one that will resonate far beyond tennis.
