Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star, has embraced a lively new tradition on the court as he celebrates victories with his children. After making it to the quarterfinals of Wimbledon, Djokovic enjoyed the moment with a TikTok test dance. In his language, he referred to it as “pumpa.” In English, that means to “pump it up.” It was hard to tell last week, after Djokovic’s hard-fought third-round win against Alex de Minaur, that Djokovic might’ve celebrated any more exuberantly. He won with a scoreline of 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.
The dancing became a highlight from there, especially after Djokovic’s daughter, Tara, showed off her incredible skills. Considered the “master” of the jig dance, Tara infused a storybook elegance to the jubilation. Her brother, Stefan, further added to the mischief making — very much in the family-friendly spirit that Djokovic loves to show off after every match.
Djokovic’s passion for the new jig was evident, as he described its origins. The moves are clearly inspired by a 2004 dance song by Belgian singer Danzel. This newly formed connection adds an additional layer of significance to his celebration. In a post-match interview, Djokovic couldn’t hide his glee over the dance. In particular, he praised Danzel with a special hurrah, claiming to feel “deeply honored” to have inspired such a new form of celebration.
A Gripping Match Against De Minaur
It wasn’t easy sailing in his match against Alex de Minaur. Djokovic had an extremely challenging start, losing the first set before forcing his way back to take the next three. The competition stretched more than three hours. They watched on with bated breath as Djokovic broke back twice, the masterful defiance of the game on display.
Upon reflection, Djokovic contributed to their match by singling out De Minaur’s tremendous speed and skill. He remarked, “He’s one of the quickest, if not the quickest player we have on the tour and on the grass, where the ball bounces very low. It’s extremely difficult to play someone like him if you’re not feeling the ball.” His respect for De Minaur’s game was clear during their battle.
After booking his quarterfinal ticket, Djokovic was both appreciative and relieved to come through the challenge successfully. He stated, “I was just very pleased to hang tough in the right moments and win this one.” The match’s intensity heightened with Roger Federer watching from the Royal Box, adding a sense of occasion to Djokovic’s performance.
A Family Tradition
Playfully engage in his customary post-victory celebration with children — Djokovic has been doing this since before they were born. This familial bond fuels the champion with joy and inspiration to continue.
And guess what, my daughter is playing with Legos as we speak. You want to show it, darling? You want to show how it goes? That’s why we brought Tara in,” he said during his transition interview, bursting with excitement about Tara’s super skills. He deepened their familial ties with his next line—“She’s the master. It’s something like tradition we have going at this point. Fingers crossed we can build on it and build the momentum on to Wimbledon!
Djokovic elevates his game ahead of a daunting quarterfinal battle with Flavio Cobolli. He won’t stop with his eyes still squarely set on passing Roger Federer’s seven Wimbledon crowns. The combination of competitive spirit and heartfelt celebrations with his children showcases the balance Djokovic maintains between personal joy and professional ambition.
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