Djokovic's Extraordinary Parenting Move Sparks Global Debate
3 February 2026
The Debate Explodes Online
Novak Djokovic, famed for solving tough matches with a steel mind on the blue court, has stepped into a different kind of battle: parenting his children.
Djokovic, renowned for his discipline, says he and wife Elena enforce a strict ban on smartphones within the family.
Novak's children, Stefan (11) and Tara (8), live without phones, in a decision he calls 'non-negotiable'.
He stated: 'The phone is not an inherent right, but a responsibility that is not granted before maturity'.
The policy, he admits, places his kids in a tough position among peers; they feel isolated in a screen-dominated world, yet he believes character begins with resisting pressure rather than yielding.
Online debate erupted.
Some see the move as a rare model in a digital age, linking Djokovic's legend to discipline, patience, and self-control.
Others attacked it as a luxury not everyone can afford, noting Djokovic's life is guided by drivers and aides, while families rely on phones for safety and contact.
And beyond the family drama, Djokovic also faced a jolt to start 2026, losing the Australian Open final to rising Spaniard Carlos Alcaraz.
Punchline 1: If smartphones were banned here, the Wi‑Fi would file for unemployment.
Punchline 2: Even a tennis star knows the only thing you should turn on at the right moment is self-control.
