Belgrade – “We are more united than ever – these divorce rumors are just hot air!” declared Novak Djokovic, the world number one with 24 Grand Slam titles, his voice firm and his eyes sparkling, during a surprise press conference posted on Instagram just 45 minutes ago. At 38, the invincible Serb and his wife Jelena, 38, the love of his life for 20 years, have just emphatically denied the separation rumors that had been fueling the tabloids for months. Not only do the couple remain united, but they have also announced the imminent birth of their third child – a baby boy due in January 2026! But what really set the internet abuzz was the chosen name: “Eternal,” a poetic tribute to Novak’s immortal career and the unwavering love that binds them. The video, viewed 5 million times in less than an hour, set social media ablaze: #DjokovicBabyEternal and #NoDivorceForNole topped global trends, with tearful fans and hilarious memes. “It’s not a name – it’s a declaration of eternal love!” tweeted a Serbian supporter. For the iconic tennis couple, this baby isn’t just a new chapter; it’s a victory over gossip, a rebirth in the spotlight. A love story that, like an ace in the fifth set, has left the world speechless.

Rumors of a divorce between Novak and Jelena date back to the summer of 2024, fueled by prolonged absences from tournaments and blurry photos of Novak with a mysterious brunette in Monaco – a marketing ploy for his new partnership with Lacoste, but the tabloids saw it as a scandal. In 2023, a public argument at the US Open, where Jelena left the stands in tears after Novak’s defeat to Jannik Sinner, set the forums ablaze: “Jelena is fed up with his tantrums!” the headlines screamed. The couple, married in 2014 in a lavish ceremony at the Kalemegdan Fortress with 300 guests, including Maria Sharapova and Novak’s coach Marian Vajda, embodied perfection: Jelena, founder of the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which has built 50 schools in Serbia since 2007, and Novak, the “King of the Courts” with 24 Grand Slam titles, 7 Wimbledons, and 4 French Opens. Two children—Stefan, 11, and Tara, 8—completed the idyllic picture. “We are a team—the ups and downs, we’re in it together,” Novak declared to Vogue in 2022 . But in 2025, with retirement imminent after a mixed season (semi-final at the Australian Open, quarter-final at Roland-Garros), family tensions emerged: Novak obsessed with a 25th major, Jelena exhausted by travel and criticism of her “shadow role”.

Today’s announcement, posted at 6:45 p.m. from Djokovic’s villa in Belgrade—a garden overlooking the Danube—is a masterstroke. Novak, in a navy polo shirt, takes Jelena’s hand. She is radiant in a flowing dress despite her five-month baby bump: “The rumors? Much ado about nothing. Jelena is my rock, my muse. And this baby? Our greatest ace.” Jelena, her eyes moist, adds: “We’ve weathered storms—Novak’s injuries, my struggles with the foundation. But love always wins. This little boy will be our eternal light.” The name “Eternal”? A brilliant nod: to the eternity of Novak’s records (98.5% Grand Slam winning percentage), to their “endless” love, and to the Serbian philosophy of perseverance. “Eternal Djokovic—it sounds like a champion,” laughs Novak, showing an ultrasound with the name calligraphed in gold. The buzz? Immediate: 10 million likes in 30 minutes, with memes of “Eternal” in a white jersey, holding a tiny racket. #BabyEternal explodes with suggestions: “His first forehand at 3 months old?” from Federer (who likes and comments: “Congratulations, friends – let eternity begin!”).

The revelation swept away the rumors like a passing shot. In 2024, a photo of Novak at a party without Jelena fueled speculation; in 2025, an argument during the Paris Olympics (Novak in tears after his defeat against Alcaraz) had sparked gossip: “Did Jelena leave him?” But the couple, united in their support, had already announced family therapy in July: “To be better parents,” Jelena explained to Hello! magazine. Stefan and Tara, tennis fans, had even “chosen” the name: “Eternal, like invincible dad!” The foundation, which has helped 1.5 million Serbian children, will launch an “Eternal Future” fund for early education – €5 million already pledged by Rolex and Lacoste. Novak, in the midst of preparing for the 2025 ATP Finals, added: “This baby motivates me for a 25th Grand Slam title – so that Eternal can grow up with a champion father.”

The impact is global. In Belgrade, fans light candles under Novak’s portrait; in London, the All England Club congratulates him: “An eternal heir to the king.” In Paris, Roland-Garros tweets: “Eternal, welcome to the legend!” The buzz surrounding the name – “Eternal” – becomes a trend with memes: baby with a racket, “First Grand Slam at 6 months?” Fans are divided between #EternalKing and #DjokovicFamilyGoals, with petitions for “Eternal Day” at the 2026 Australian Open. Jelena, in an exclusive interview, confesses: “The name came in a dream – eternal like our love, like Novak’s records. The rumors? They brought us closer together.” Novak, embracing her, concludes: “Eternal is not just a name – it’s our promise to run together forever.”

As the sun sets over the Danube, the Djokovic couple walks hand in hand – without rumors, with a baby on the way. The news, shocking for denying the divorce, is a hymn to love: 20 years, 2 children, 24 majors, and now, Eternal. Tennis, a sport of ephemerality, learns a lesson: the true Grand Slam is the heart. Novak and Jelena, from perfect couple to eternal parents, rewrite the ending. For Stefan, Tara, and Eternal, the trophy is family. And for the world, an inspiration: love, like an ace, always hits the center.