Novak Djokovic's Parenting Advice: Tennis legend says parents should not rush to entertain kids when they

June 23, 2026 - 21:20

Tennis legend Novak Djokovic has a surprising piece of parenting advice for moms and dads: stop trying so hard to entertain your children. The 24-time Grand Slam champion argues that boredom is not something to fix, but something to embrace.

Djokovic shared a personal story about his own son, who recently told him he was bored. Instead of rushing to find an activity or hand over a screen, Djokovic used the moment to talk about the value of unstructured time. He believes that when parents immediately jump in to cure boredom, they rob kids of a chance to use their imagination and process their own thoughts.

In an interview, Djokovic explained that modern parenting often treats boredom like a problem that needs a quick solution. He thinks this approach actually hurts a child's development. By letting kids sit with that feeling of being bored, they learn to create their own games, daydream, and think more deeply. The tennis star says this quiet, empty space is essential for creativity and mental growth. His advice is simple: let your children be bored. It might be the best gift you can give them.