Novak Djokovic once again proved his enduring brilliance on the tennis court by securing a hard-fought win over Taylor Fritz at the US Open. The four-set triumph—6-3, 7-5, 3-6, 6-4—earned him a spot in yet another Grand Slam semifinal, extending his record to 53 appearances at this stage in major tournaments. But what caught everyone’s attention wasn’t just the scoreline—it was the celebration that followed.
A Birthday Surprise for Tara
As the match concluded, Djokovic broke into a playful dance on the court, leaving fans both amused and curious. It wasn’t a spontaneous burst of joy, but a carefully choreographed move inspired by his daughter Tara, who was celebrating her eighth birthday that day. Djokovic revealed that the dance was a gift for her, a gesture meant to bring a smile to her face when she woke up the next morning.
The K-Pop Connection
The dance wasn’t just any routine—it was based on choreography from the animated Netflix film KPop Demon Hunters. The movie, which features a fictional K-pop girl group battling supernatural forces, has become a global hit among younger audiences. Tara had introduced her father to the film and its catchy soundtrack, particularly the song “Soda Pop,” which quickly became a favorite in their household.
Learning the Moves at Home
Djokovic shared that he and Tara had been practicing various dance routines together at home. The one he performed on court was one of their favorites, and she had even coached him on how to execute it properly. “She’s going to rate me tomorrow,” he joked during his post-match interview, clearly enjoying the light-hearted moment.
More Than Just a Match
While the victory itself was significant, Djokovic’s celebration added a layer of warmth and humanity to the occasion. It was a reminder that even the most elite athletes find joy in the simple things—like dancing with their kids to a song from a movie. And for Tara, waking up to see her dad’s tribute on one of the biggest stages in sports was likely the best birthday gift she could imagine.
Djokovic at the U.S. Open, ranking, and results in 2025
Now ranked no.7, Djokovic has managed to achieve an overall 31-9 win-loss record in 2025. Djokovic is playing at the U.S. Open where he overcame the world no.50 Learner Tien 6-1 7-6(3) 6-2, the world no.145 Zachary Svajda 6-7(5) 6-3 6-3 6-1, the world no.35 Cameron Norrie 6-4 6-7(4) 6-2 6-3, the world no.144 Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3 6-3 6-2 and the world no.4 Taylor Fritz 6-3 7-5 3-6 6-4.
Novak Djokovic will square off with the world no.2 Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinal. Their current record is 5-3 for Djokovic.
The Serbian has won 1 title in 2025 in Geneva. Novak got to the final in Miami (Miami Open).
Novak won 100 titles in his career: 52 on hard courts, 21 on clay courts, 19 on indoor courts and 8 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)