In a shocking turn of events just days after Novak Djokovic’s heartbreaking retirement from the **Six Kings Slam 2025** in Riyadh, his wife Jelena Djokovic stepped up to the podium at a hastily convened press conference in Belgrade on October 19, 2025.
Visibly emotional, the 38-year-old philanthropist delivered an “urgent message” about her husband’s worsening condition, pleading for privacy while revealing details that have left tennis fans worldwide “choking up” and flooding social media with prayers. “Novak is fighting harder than ever, but this is a battle we can’t win alone,” Jelena said through tears, her voice breaking as she addressed the packed room of reporters.
The moment, captured on live broadcast, has gone viral, amassing over 5 million views in hours and reigniting debates about the toll of professional tennis on aging legends.
As the ATP season winds down toward the **Nitto ATP Finals** in Turin (November 10-17, 2025), Djokovic’s health scare couldn’t come at a worse time. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, currently ranked No. 5, has been battling a nagging groin injury that first flared up during his Shanghai Masters semifinal loss on October 11.
Now, with speculation swirling about his participation in the year-end championships, Jelena’s words have humanized the stoic Serb, reminding fans that behind the unbreakable facade lies a family man facing real vulnerabilities.
It all came to a head on October 18 in Riyadh’s ANB Arena during the high-stakes **Six Kings Slam** exhibition, where Djokovic faced Holger Rune in the semifinals. Just 1 hour and 20 minutes into the match, with the score at 6-4, 3-3, Novak collapsed mid-point, clutching his thigh in agony. The crowd fell silent as physios rushed the court, but after a prolonged medical timeout, he retired – marking his third withdrawal in 2025 due to injury.
This wasn’t a new woe. The injury traces back to October 7 at the **China Open**, where Djokovic called for a physio mid-match against Jaume Munar, lying prone on the court for nearly 30 seconds after tweaking his ankle and groin in a grueling rally. He skipped the post-match presser on medical advice to “rest and recover,” undergoing an MRI the next day that confirmed a strained left piriformis and groin issue.
The pain persisted into Shanghai, where he limped through a straight-sets defeat to qualifier Valentin Vacherot on October 11, brushing off fitness questions with a curt “Next question, please.”
Experts point to a brutal 2025 schedule – four Grand Slam semifinals (zero sets won), a knee surgery recovery from earlier in the year, and the relentless travel – as culprits. “At 38, the body doesn’t bounce back like it used to,” said Dr. Trudy Seivwright, a sports physician and Djokovic fan, in a recent X post. “He’s been working on that piriformis extensively; rest is non-negotiable.” Djokovic himself admitted in a Wimbledon 2025 presser, “The reality of age and wear hits hard – it’s tough to accept.”
Jelena, co-founder of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, has long been Novak’s rock, often shielding the family from media scrutiny. But with rumors of a potential season-ending surgery swirling, she broke her silence at the press conference organized by the foundation. “Novak has given everything to this sport – 24 Slams, endless records – but now, he’s paying the price,” she said, her hands trembling. “The groin tear is worse than we thought; he’s in constant pain, struggling to walk some days. Doctors say he needs weeks, maybe months, off. As his wife and the mother of his children, I’m begging: Give us space. Pray for him, support him, but let him heal without the pressure.”
The room erupted in flashes as tears streamed down her face.
She revealed that Novak, ever the fighter, insisted on playing Riyadh for the fans and the $1.5 million purse, but collapsed at home post-match, requiring immediate medical attention. “He’s not just a champion; he’s my husband, Stefan and Tara’s father. Tennis fans, you’ve carried us this far – now carry him through this,” Jelena urged, invoking the couple’s 10-year marriage and shared battles, from Novak’s 2010 elbow surgery to Jelena’s own health scares.
Her words echoed Novak’s rare vulnerability in a US Open 2025 presser: “Overcoming Alcaraz and Sinner is a hurdle, but the real fight is internal – motivation amid the pain.” Jelena closed with a nod to the future: “2026 could be his comeback year, but only if we protect him now.”
The tennis community erupted. On X (formerly Twitter), #PrayForNole skyrocketed to the top global trends within hours, with over 2 million posts by October 20. Fans shared choking videos of themselves – one viral clip from a Belgrade supporter showed a grown man sobbing, captioned, “Novak taught me resilience; now I’m praying for his.” American fan Danny (@DjokovicFan_) posted, “Please be well, Nole. 🙏🏻 You’ve given us everything.” Even rivals chimed in: Jannik Sinner tweeted, “Take care, legend. The tour isn’t the same without you,” while Carlos Alcaraz added, “Strength, Novak – family first.”
Reddit’s r/tennis lit up with threads like “Jelena’s words broke me – is this the end?” amassing 1,000+ upvotes, blending grief with calls for ATP reforms on player welfare. Celebrities joined: Maria Sharapova shared a throwback photo with the caption, “Warriors rest too,” and Elon Musk quipped, “Heal up, GOAT – xAI needs your focus next.” The outpouring underscores Djokovic’s transcendence: Not just a player, but a symbol of endurance.
With only three spots left in Turin, Djokovic clings to third in the Live Race (120 points behind), but experts doubt he’ll play. “Rest is key – pushing could end his career prematurely,” warned analyst Pavvy G (@pavyg). Yet, optimism flickers: Djokovic won Geneva in May despite odds, and Jelena hinted at “exciting plans” for 2026, possibly a lighter schedule focused on majors.
This saga spotlights tennis’s dark side – grueling seasons, poor conditions, and injury epidemics (Rune out 6 months, Alcaraz recovering from ankle). As one fan posted, “The game needs to rethink before it breaks its heroes.”
Jelena Djokovic’s urgent plea isn’t just news – it’s a wake-up call. Novak, the man who’s defied gravity for two decades, now needs the world to lift him. As fans choke back tears and pray, one thing’s clear: His legacy endures, win or lose. Watch this space for updates on his recovery, and join the chorus: #GetWellNovak
