Novak Djokovic reflected on how fatherhood impacted his career, saying that when he returned home, his focus shifted away from himself and was centered on his family. The Serb’s remarks came during the 2015 Shanghai Masters.

Djokovic had a remarkable outing in Shanghai in 2015. He began his campaign with a straight-sets victory over Martin Klizan and followed it up with dominant wins against Feliciano Lopez, Bernard Tomic, Andy Murray, and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in the final, ultimately securing the title. Ahead of his campaign in Shanghai, the Serb sat down with the media to discuss his experience as a new father, having welcomed his son Stefan with his wife Jelena just a year prior.

He shared how he had to make adjustments, such as leaving certain professional topics behind when he entered his home, emphasizing that becoming a family man was now his top priority.

“The biggest adjustment I had to make as a father is living most of the things that are related to my profession. Common subjects I was talking about before in the house, before I became a father, I had to leave that behind the door,” Djokovic said.

“When I step into the home, it’s not about me, my career. It’s about my wife, it’s about my boy. I think that’s the biggest adjustment I think any successful athlete or person needs to make,” he added. He shared how he had to make adjustments, such as leaving certain professional topics behind when he entered his home, emphasizing that becoming a family man was now his top priority.

Djokovic and Jelena have known each other since childhood, having first met as kids in their hometown of Belgrade, Serbia. They began dating as teenagers while attending the same school, and their relationship blossomed over the years as they grew up together

The couple got married in July 2014 in a beautiful ceremony held in Montenegro, known for its picturesque coastal views. Their son, Stefan, was born on October 21, 2014, and their daughter, Tara, was born on September 2, 2017.