Former world No. 1 Jelena Jankovic has been living a peaceful, private life since stepping away from the tennis spotlight. Rarely making public appearances or sharing personal moments online, the beloved Serbian tennis star was a pleasant surprise to see out and about in Belgrade on Saturday. And yes, we have photos!
On a sunny afternoon in the Serbian capital, Jankovic was seen strolling through the bustling Knez Mihailova Street, Belgrade’s most iconic pedestrian zone. Dressed casually in jeans, a beige jacket, and matching beige Miu Miu sneakers, she looked stylish and relaxed. Her hair was tied back in a ponytail, tucked under a cap.
Joining her on the walk was her daughter Una, born in April 2021, who was happily riding a scooter alongside her famous mom. They were also accompanied by another woman, possibly a family member.
Jelena made a quick stop at a local café for a coffee to go before heading toward the historic Kalemegdan Park, which was bustling with tourists and passersby. The 2008 US Open finalist appeared to be in great spirits, even pausing for a friendly chat with a street performer. As always, she was warm and polite.
Though she’s one of Serbia’s most celebrated athletes, Jankovic enjoys the freedom of moving through her hometown without fanfare, embracing a slower pace of life far from the international tennis circuit.
Jankovic enjoyed an illustrious tennis career, capturing 15 WTA titles and reaching the world No. 1 ranking. She made five Grand Slam semifinal appearances, one of which led to a Grand Slam final. Her last professional match was at the 2017 US Open. In mid-2020, Jankovic began dating Serbian doctor Branko Barac, with whom she later started a family. The two are said to have met after Novak Djokovic’s Adria Tour exhibition tournament in Belgrade, when Jankovic went for a COVID-19 test.
Women’s Tennis Blog