In the sun-drenched courts of Monaco, where the clay sparkles under the Mediterranean sky, the 2025 Monte-Carlo Masters was supposed to be another chapter in Novak Djokovic’s storied quest for his 100th ATP title. Instead, it became an unexpected stage for his 11-year-old son, Stefan, who captured hearts and headlines despite his father’s stunning early exit. The tournament, held from April 6 to 13, 2025, saw the tennis world buzzing—not just about Djokovic’s rare misstep, but about the charming twist brought by his young heir.
Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and World No. 5, entered the ATP 1000 event with tempered expectations. Fresh off a Miami Open final loss to Jakub Mensik and battling a lingering eye infection, he admitted his clay-court form was shaky. “I did not have high expectations,” he said after his match, a candid reflection of his mindset. On April 9, he faced Alejandro Tabilo, a familiar foe who had bested him at the 2024 Italian Open. The Chilean, ranked No. 32, delivered a masterclass, outplaying Djokovic 6-3, 6-4 in a swift 90 minutes. The Serb’s 29 unforced errors painted a picture of a player struggling to find rhythm on the red dirt, a surface he last conquered at the Paris Olympics in 2024. “I expected myself at least to have put in a decent performance. Not like this, it was horrible,” Djokovic lamented, his frustration palpable as he apologized to fans who witnessed the upset.
Yet, as Djokovic’s hopes faded on Court Rainier III, his son Stefan unwittingly stole the show. Days after his father’s defeat, the 11-year-old was spotted courtside during Carlos Alcaraz’s semi-final clash against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina on April 12. Stefan, a budding tennis enthusiast who plays the sport himself, wasn’t just there to soak in the atmosphere—he was cheering for Alcaraz, one of his father’s fiercest rivals. The moment sparked a wave of intrigue and amusement among fans. Djokovic had previously shared Stefan’s admiration for the young Spaniard, noting at the 2022 Madrid Open, “Alcaraz is his favorite now,” and revealing how Stefan mimics both Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal in his own game. The sight of Stefan, wide-eyed and captivated, watching Alcaraz secure a 7-6(2), 6-4 victory, turned a routine semi-final into a storyline of its own.
Born in October 2014, the same year Djokovic married his high school sweetheart Jelena, Stefan has grown up in the shadow of his father’s legend. Yet, his presence in Monte-Carlo felt like a glimpse of the future. Commentator Nick Lester, spotting Stefan in the crowd, remarked, “I think that is Stefan Djokovic. Unfortunately, dad didn’t last long this week.” The lighthearted jab underscored the contrast: while Djokovic’s campaign ended abruptly, Stefan’s enthusiasm lit up the stands. His appearance wasn’t just a footnote; it was a reminder of the personal side of a sport often defined by cutthroat competition. Alongside Stefan, notable figures like France football manager Didier Deschamps and former AS Roma captain Francesco Totti were also drawn to Alcaraz’s match, but it was the young Djokovic who became the talk of the tournament.
The Monte-Carlo Masters has long been a proving ground for Djokovic, who won the title in 2013 and 2015 but hasn’t reached the final since. His 2025 loss to Tabilo, who now holds a 2-0 clay-court record against him, marked another stumble in a season where the 38-year-old is chasing history. A 100th title would place him alongside Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men in the Open Era to reach that milestone. Yet, Djokovic’s focus remains fixed on the French Open, starting May 25, where he aims to claim a record-extending 25th Grand Slam. “I knew I’m probably going to play pretty bad, but this bad, I didn’t expect,” he admitted, already looking ahead to Madrid, where coach Andy Murray is expected to rejoin him.
For Stefan, though, Monte-Carlo was less about titles and more about passion. His courtside moment wasn’t his first brush with the spotlight—back in 2023, he and his sister Tara cheered wildly for their father at the same tournament, with Tara mimicking Djokovic’s victory celebration. This time, Stefan’s fandom for Alcaraz, who went on to reach the final, added a layer of irony and warmth to the narrative. As Alcaraz battled through a scrappy match, needing six match points to advance, Stefan’s presence reminded everyone that tennis is as much about joy as it is about triumph.
Djokovic’s shock exit may have dimmed his Monte-Carlo legacy for 2025, but Stefan’s cameo ensured the Djokovic name still shone brightly. As the clay season unfolds, with Madrid and Rome looming, the tennis world will watch Djokovic’s pursuit of redemption. But for one weekend in Monaco, it was a boy’s love for the game that truly captivated the crowd, proving that sometimes, the spotlight finds you when you least expect it.