January 3, 2025, 10:19 am | Updated: January 3, 2025, 10:24

24-time Grand Slam winner Novak Djokovic plays his racket like a musical instrument as a tribute to his family.

In 2024, tennis champion Novak Djokovic began using a different racquet technique.

After winning matches, the Serbian athlete has developed a new style in which he holds his tennis racket like a violin and imitates the bowing of the strings. And there’s a heartwarming story behind it.

The musical gesture is for his six-year-old daughter, who is currently learning the violin. “That was for Tara,” Djokovic said in post-match interviews. “My daughter has been playing the violin for a while, six months, and we agreed I would celebrate.”

After one of last year’s special musical tributes, Djokovic was seen blowing a kiss towards his family box to the delight of his daughter.

Read more: Novak Djokovic “plays” Bizet’s Habanera on the viola in a surprise duet

Since then, Djokovic has added a new musical celebration to his signature violin drawl… that includes a saxophone.

After making it to the quarterfinals of the Brisbane International tournament, the tennis star showed off his new moves.

In the post-match interview he explained: “My daughter told me to keep playing the violin if I won. My son told me I should play the saxophone, so I try to incorporate both.”

He added: “It’s the first time I’ve had my family Down Under. It’s a long journey but they have come to support me and we spend a lot of quality time together off the pitch. My heart is full and it allows me to play my best tennis.”

Read more: The most memorable times were the use of classical music in sports

Djokovic has said in interviews that he enjoys listening to classical music to relax. In an interview in 2012, he said: “I listen to classical music because it calms me down – calms my nerves.”

What a wonderful thing that he is passing on his love of classical music to his children by encouraging them to continue playing their instruments. We wish Tara and Stefan all the best for their musical careers.