Novak Djokovic reveals his son was cheering for Rafael Nadal in Australian Open final

Novak Djokovic has opened up on his ‘difficult’ watch in seeing Rafael Nadal win the Australian Open final by revealing his son was cheering on the Spaniard.

Nadal moved one clear of Djokovic and Roger Federer in the all-time career Grand Slam wins list by taking his 21st title with a five-set win over Daniil Medvedev.

World No.1 Djokovic had to watch the final from Serbia after being denied a visa based on his unvaccinated status against coronavirus which saw him deported from Australia on the eve of the tournament.

The match-viewing experience was probably made a lot harder by his son rooting for his rival.

‘I found it so difficult to watch,’ Djokovic told the BBC.

‘I was very neutral, I didn’t cheer for anyone because I wanted to be there so badly. But I was amused by the circumstances.

‘My wife was cheering for Medvedev, my son was cheering for Nadal and every point that Rafa would make, Stefan would be jumping around.’

The Serb also revealed his son has requested at the next tournament he and Nadal play that he gets a photo with the Australian Open winner.

He added: ‘He asked me a few days ago when I was putting him to sleep: “When is the next tournament that you are going to participate and play where Rafa is going to be also?”

‘I said: “I’m not sure, I hope very soon, why are you asking me that?” And he said: “Because I would really love to take a photo with Rafa!”

The 34-year-old’s participation in future Grand Slams remains unclear after he doubled down on his decision not to get the vaccine, putting his appearances at future tournaments at risk.

He insists he plans to carry on playing but is not solely driven by beating Nadal’s record.

‘I’ve been blessed with some amazing results that I’ve made throughout my