Jelena Djokovic, wife of tennis legend Novak Djokovic, has publicly praised Felix Auger-Aliassime following their gruelling Wimbledon quarter-final, revealing that the Djokovic children look up to the Canadian as a role model.
Epic Quarter-Final Battle
Novak Djokovic defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime 7-6(10), 3-6, 6-3, 6-7(4), 7-6(4) in a match lasting five hours and 15 minutes on Centre Court. This was the longest quarter-final in Wimbledon history, marking the 24-time Grand Slam champion's third career meeting with Auger-Aliassime.
Jelena's Heartfelt Comment
Shortly after Auger-Aliassime posted an emotional Instagram message about using the loss as fuel, Jelena commented: "You were incredible last night, Felix. Our kids adore you, and you are a wonderful role model. One had to come out as a winner in that match, but there is so much to be proud of. We will be cheering for you!" The comment received over 12,000 likes. Fellow Canadian player Denis Shapovalov also responded with a red heart emoji.
Auger-Aliassime's Response
In his press conference, Auger-Aliassime reflected: "Amazing fight, amazing battle with a legend of our sport. It is what it is. Obviously, it's tough for me. Quarters in Paris (at the French Open) and here. I had other chances in my career where tight matches like this didn't go my way. I'll have to see what I can do so it goes my way the next time. For now, I can be proud of the fight, and then I move on."
Previous Encounters
The pair had met twice before, both in 2022. Djokovic won in straight sets at the Italian Open quarter-finals en route to the title, while Auger-Aliassime defeated Djokovic at the Laver Cup to help Team World win. This latest encounter was their most competitive, with both previous matches ending in straight sets.
