Meet the Future Mrs. Djokovic by Kristen Tracy

Written by: Staff on 3rd October 2013

Meet the Future Mrs. Djokovic by Kristen Tracy

epa03094806 Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic (R) and girlfriend Jelena Ristic (L) arrive at the Laureus World Sports Awards in London, Britain, 06 Febuary 2012. The Laureus World Sports Awards are held annually to honour sports people who have been outstanding during the previous year. EPA/FACUNDO ARRIZABALAGA |

On September 26th, a collective sigh of sadness from female tennis fans was heard around the world when world no. 1 Novak Djokovic announced he and longtime girlfriend Jelena Ristic were engaged. The couple, together since high school have been going strong for almost 9 years. But there’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the future Mrs. Djokovic.

First off, she’s not just a pretty face. Sure, no one would disagree with the fact that she’s gorgeous. The girl is a model for crying out loud! But she’s so much more than that. She received her Masters degree from the prestigious Bocconi University in Milan, Italy, currently serves as the director for the Novak Djokovic Foundation, and is in the midst of pursuing a PhD in Management. Her extensive knowledge and experience in the field of business has helped the Novak Djokovic Foundation grow immensely since its inception in 2007.

She’s also a tennis fan. That may seem like a given, but you’d be surprised how many girlfriends of professional tennis players can’t stand the sport and always look like they’re dying of boredom in the player’s box (yes I’m looking at you Mandy Moore). Not Jelena. Not only is she present for almost every single match, she’s cheering on her man with the rest of the thousands of fans in the stands. Her enthusiasm and exuberance is priceless – and how every girlfriend or wife of a professional athlete should be.

Finally, she stands by her man. In 2011 Djokovic learned he had Celiac disease. It’s an autoimmune disease that causes the body to reactive negatively to gluten. Fatigue becomes a huge side effect of the disease, which can obviously become detrimental to an athlete’s career. Once diagnosed, it can be treated but it’s a long and tedious process that involves a complete diet and exercise overhaul. To an athlete who’s used to a specific regimen this can really wreak havoc on the body. But despite the hardship, Ristic stood by Novak’s side…and watched him rise to the top of the tennis world.

No word yet on when the couple’s impending nuptials will occur, but I think it’s pretty safe to say the tennis king has picked a perfect queen.

Topics: 10sballs, Jelena Ristic, Novak Djokovic, Sports, Tennis, Tennis News