Novak Djokovic's staggering wealth and his wife's response following a harsh remark from a BBC personality

 Novak Djokovic has solidified his status as a tennis legend through a remarkable career, securing the title of the most successful male player in the sport's history.

With an impressive tally of 24 Grand Slam titles, including seven victories at Wimbledon, Djokovic stands alone as the sole player to simultaneously hold all four major titles across three different surfaces. His extraordinary achievements on the court have translated into substantial financial success, making him the highest earner in tennis.

Djokovic has amassed an estimated £143 million in prize money over the past two decades. If he secures his eighth title at SW19 later this month, he stands to add another £2.7 million to this impressive sum.

However, Djokovic's wealth isn't solely derived from tournament victories. He has also secured numerous lucrative sponsorship deals with top brands like Asics, Head, Hublot, Lacoste, and Peugeot. Additionally, partnerships with Lemero, NetJets, Raiffeisen Bank International, and Ultimate Software Group have further bolstered his net worth. According to Celebrity Net Worth, these endorsements have propelled Djokovic's total net worth to an impressive £189.8 million.

His considerable personal wealth is shared with his wife, Jelena, whom he met during high school in Serbia. They began their relationship in 2005 and married nine years later at the luxurious Aman Sveti Stefan Resort in Montenegro. Recently, they celebrated their 10th wedding anniversary.

Jelena, aged 38, is a distinguished businesswoman and serves as the global CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, a charity she co-founded with her husband. The foundation aims to promote equal access to early childhood education. The couple has two children together, Stefan, aged nine, and Tara, aged six. Jelena is also quite popular on social media, boasting over 710,000 followers on Instagram.

Jelena is a familiar sight courtside, passionately cheering on her husband during major tournaments. However, her absence at Wimbledon in 2019, where she missed all of Djokovic's matches, sparked speculation about their marriage. The couple clarified that her absence was due to their young daughter Tara being too young to attend. Despite their explanation, rumors persisted, with BBC pundit John McEnroe hinting at possible off-court family issues affecting Djokovic's performance.

Drawing comparisons between Djokovic and Tiger Woods, McEnroe remarked, "Woods had issues with his wife and then his game seemed to unravel completely. So now we're asking: 'Could this happen to Djokovic?'"

Djokovic, while taken aback by the public comments, maintained a diplomatic stance, stating, "He has the right to express his opinions. I may not necessarily agree with them, but that's his prerogative."

Jelena has openly discussed the challenges and scrutiny of being married to a prominent athlete, admitting to Vesti-Online, "When you're young, the spotlight and attention can feel comfortable. Initially, it doesn't alarm you because it comes with the territory. We often see public figures and assume that level of scrutiny is normal."

"As time goes by, you lose your anonymity and the freedom to do whatever you want, whenever you want, in any situation. I strive to resist these expectations and remain true to myself, allowing Novak to do the same. This is why I face criticism from the public, questioning why I don't wear makeup or why I'm not always in heels."

In a 2020 interview on In Depth with Graham Besinger, Jelena candidly shared how she felt judged for not conforming to the typical image of an athlete's wife, leading to an inner struggle.

"I think it's brave to say this to millions of people watching," she admitted. "I found myself trying to compete with him because I felt deserving of recognition for my contributions, which often happened behind the scenes. My ego was caught up in an internal battle because I believed I had more to offer, but felt compelled to express myself quietly."

"Essentially, as a woman, there's an expectation to not speak up too much, to not be too visible," she elaborated. "There's a stereotype about what an athlete's wife should look like, how she should behave, and I don't conform to that stereotype. I'm glad I don't because I don't need to. However, it's been challenging because I've faced judgment for not fitting into those expectations."