Novak Djokovic doused with water by wife Jelena before Wimbledon final with Carlos Alcaraz – he was so relaxed he even carried own Waitrose bag
Novak Djokovic’s family doused him with water before the Wimbledon final in 2023 and it was for very good reason.
Djokovic was in good spirits as he went to face Carlos Alcaraz, he was even clutching a Waitrose bag in one hand and his tennis rackets in the other.
Djokovic’s family sent him on his way for the Wimbledon final by throwing water
He was incredibly relaxed considering what was on the line at the All England Club. He was bidding to equal Roger Federer’s record of eight Wimbledon men’s titles.
It would have been a fifth straight Wimbledon title too, which also would have tied Federer and Bjorn Borg’s record.
Jelena Djokovic posted a video on social media of her and their family throwing water at Novak as he made his way to SW19.
That is because according to folk belief in some Balkan countries, spilling water behind someone going on a journey will bring good luck and is done so it will end happily.
It was not meant to be for Djokovic on Centre Court last year, however, as he lost a five-set thriller to Alcaraz.
It was a first Wimbledon title for the Spaniard, with Djokovic struggling to control his emotions on the court after.
He had already won the first two Grand Slams of 2023, and had the calendar Slam in his sights.
Djokovic looked up to see his family in the crowd and said: “It’s nice to see my son still there, still smiling.”
“It is a tough one to swallow when you are so close. I lost to a better player, I have to congratulate him, and move on – stronger hopefully.”
Djokovic did bounce back from that defeat to win the US Open later that year, and claim a record 24th Grand Slam title.
However, his 2024 hasn’t exactly gone to plan and he is still searching for a 25th Slam to add to his collection.
He could only reach the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he is a 10-time champion.
