Novak Djokovic offered a glimpse into the balance between his legendary tennis career and his life as a father, admitting that the day may not be far off when his son, Stefan, can beat him on the court. Speaking after his second-round victory at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, the Serbian star referenced the historic father-son moment created by LeBron James and Bronny James in the NBA.
Djokovic said the story resonated with him, but he also acknowledged the unique physical demands of professional tennis and the difficulty of extending a career long enough to share a professional court with his son.
Novak Djokovic’s Longevity and the Possibility of Facing His Son on the ATP Tour
Djokovic, currently ranked World No. 3, has remained one of the sport’s most durable champions deep into his 30s. His longevity has already pushed the boundaries of what is typically expected in tennis, a sport that demands sustained bursts of speed, endurance, and individual responsibility on every point.
Unlike team sports such as basketball, where minutes can be managed within a roster, tennis places the entire physical load on a single player over matches that can last several hours. For Djokovic to realistically compete on the ATP Tour long enough to face Stefan, who is now 11, he would likely need to continue playing until around 2033, when his son could potentially reach professional age at 18.
That timeline would put Djokovic at roughly 46 years old, a rare scenario in elite tennis even for an athlete who recently reached the Australian Open final. Djokovic acknowledged both the emotional appeal and the physical reality of that possibility while speaking in a Tennis Channel segment following his Indian Wells match.
He explained that Stefan is already improving rapidly and that their practice rallies are becoming more competitive. “I’m getting to the stage where I’m playing decent speed rallies with my son. Soon enough, he’s probably going to beat me,” Djokovic said.
He then pointed to the inspiration he sees in LeBron James’ journey alongside his son. “And you know, LeBron, I think one of his greatest motivations was to play on the same team with his son. So he’s living that dream. My son is 11.”
Djokovic added that while the idea of sharing the professional stage with Stefan is appealing, the reality of staying competitive that long remains uncertain.
“I’m not sure I can survive until he’s 18 on the tour. But hey, you never know. I’m still playing well, feeling well, not every day, but generally feeling well, and still trying to be very meticulous, very professional with all my chores. Everything I do, there’s a purpose behind it.”
What Lies Ahead for Djokovic at the 2026 BNP Paribas Open?
The Serbian star is currently chasing his record-breaking sixth title in the California desert. The third seed kicked off his campaign with a 4-6, 6-1, 6-2 victory over Kamil Majchrzak.
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He will now take on Aleksandar Kovacevic in the third round. This is going to be their second meeting on the ATP Tour, with the Serb winning their only match at the 2023 Roland Garros opener. The winner of this match will face either the 19th seed, Francisco Cerundolo, or the defending champion, Jack Draper.
Djokovic also partnered with Stefanos Tsitsipas for the doubles event, and the duo will take on third seeds Mate Pavić and Marcelo Arévalo in the first round.
