In an unexpected turn of events that has shaken the tennis world, Jelena Djokovic , wife of the legendary Novak Djokovic , held an emotional press conference in Belgrade. In front of the cameras, she threw a folder full of documents onto the table and publicly accused her husband of betrayal .
According to Jelena, Novak secretly signed a multi-million dollar contract with the Chinese company Hengli Sports Group , valued at $50 million , which grants them the image rights for his youngest son, Stefan Djokovic , until he turns 18. The condition: Stefan must move to Beijing to train starting in 2026.
With tears in her eyes, Jelena exclaimed to the press, “I didn’t know anything!” She claimed to feel betrayed and deceived by the father of her children, asserting that she would never have allowed an agreement that would affect Stefan’s future. “This isn’t a business deal, it’s my family,” she added between sobs.
Minutes later, the Serbian tennis player’s spokesperson issued a brief statement, calling the press conference an “internal misunderstanding” and denying any legal wrongdoing. However, he did not deny the existence of the contract with Hengli Sports Group, which further fueled the controversy on social media.
In less than two hours, the news became a global trending topic . Millions of users on X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram debated the ethical dilemma, while hashtags like #JelenaVsNovak and #StefanDjokovic garnered thousands of mentions. Some supported Jelena; others defended Novak’s sporting vision.
From Beijing, a spokesperson for Hengli Sports Group confirmed their “interest in collaborating with the Djokovic family,” though they avoided commenting on Stefan’s contract. “We seek to form global partnerships with emerging sporting talents,” they stated, further fueling suspicions of a real and confidential agreement.
Sports analysts and legal experts have begun debating the legal and ethical implications of the case. Some believe the agreement could violate regulations on the exploitation of minors , while others point out that the image rights of celebrities’ children are typically managed in advance for commercial reasons.
Several tennis figures, including Marian Vajda and Ana Ivanovic , expressed their surprise at the situation. “Novak has always protected his private life; this is not like him,” commented a former coach. Others, however, maintain that the pressure of international contracts can lead to drastic decisions.
Sources close to the couple say that Novak and Jelena’s relationship is at its lowest point since 2018 , when rumors of a breakup first surfaced. Jelena’s recent public appearances and defiant tone suggest a breakdown in trust that could have both personal and professional repercussions .
While lawyers review the contracts and international media amplify the story, the Djokovic family faces one of the most turbulent episodes of its public life . No one knows if there will be a reconciliation, but the damage to the image of the world’s number one tennis player already seems irreversible.
Jelena Djokovic’s press conference has sparked a profound debate about the boundaries between sport, fame, and family . In a world where ambition knows no bounds, the Djokovic family’s story reminds us that sometimes the greatest challenge lies not on the court, but at home.
