Djokovic hoping family time will lead to Aussie success

Will family time help Novak Djokovic achieve his goals in Australia?

The Serbian is chasing his 100th tour-level title in Brisbane this week and will then aim to capture a record-extending 11th Australian Open crown and 25th major in Melbourne later in January.

Here for the ride Down Under is the Serbian’s wife, Jelena, and his children Stefan and Tara.

“This is the first time my family comes with me, my children, my wife [to Australia],” Djokovic said. “If I have a match day, I'm spending time getting ready for that match. She has to take care of the kids. She's here supporting me, trying to give me that love and energy, along with kids, that I need to play my best tennis.

“So far it's working very well. I'm feeling great on the court. I'm playing great. It allows me to not feel the guilt that I'm so far away for such a long time…This makes it so much easier for me, going back home knowing they're going to be there waiting for me. I'm more motivated. I am also more calm, more serene. I spend great quality time with them. It allows me to also not think about tennis 24/7, to have time where I can just release the tension and be really involved in their time.”

On court, Djokovic earned his second win of the season. The 37-year-old defeated Gael Monfils to reach the quarter-finals in Brisbane and now leads the Frenchman 20-0 in the pair’s Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

“His game suits me well. To some extent the more you win against someone, the happier you are to play him,” Djokovic said. “We have had some really tough battles. He had a couple of matches where he was one point away. I think in Dubai a few years ago he had a couple of match points and should have won that match. It just happens. When you are on a bad roll, it is also affecting you mentally.

“But I think he deserves great credit for playing still at such a high level at his age. He's so athletic. A super nice guy that is loved by millions of people. He's a great entertainer, great charisma.”

After his victory against Monfils, Djokovic produced his trademark violin celebration. The top seed revealed his children are the decision makers when it comes to victory decisions.

"My children told me to have two different kinds of celebrations," Djokovic said. "My daughter told me to keep going with the violin if I win. My son told me to play the saxophone, so I try and incorporate both."

Djokovic will next meet Reilly Opelka in the quarter-finals on Friday, when he will hope to once again celebrate in front of his family.