He Was Just a Kid with a Dream—Now Tennis Star Novak Djokovic Honors the Woman Who Believed in Him
When Novak Djokovic learned that Gladis Enosi, the housekeeper who had cared for him as a boy, was still working at age 80, he was stunned. She had once tied his shoelaces, encouraged his tennis dreams, and shielded him from bullies. Now, after a lifetime of hard work, her hands were worn from decades of cleaning. Moved by the story, Novak didn’t just offer financial help—he made a life-altering gesture that stunned many and sparked emotional reactions worldwide.
Humble Beginnings
Gladis had been scrubbing floors since she was 14—first in Jamaica, then in Serbia, where she worked for the Djokovic family. She remembered young Novak as a curious boy with big dreams and even bigger feet. He once told her, “I’m going to be so good, they’ll call me Big Novak.” She never doubted him.
Despite years of hard labor and financial struggles, Gladis continued working. Though grateful for kind employers like Mrs. Patel, old age and arthritis made the work painful. She often wondered if Novak even remembered her.
A Surprising Revelation
One day, Djokovic came across an article about Gladis. It detailed her sacrifices and tough life, and how she had helped raise him. He was deeply moved, realizing how much she had given—and how little she had now. He immediately sprang into action.
More Than Charity
Novak didn’t stop at a check. He launched The Guardian Project, a foundation supporting elderly caretakers worldwide. The first life it transformed? Gladis’s. Within days, she was moved into a beautiful apartment, complete with medical care, a stipend, and assistance.
But he didn’t stop there. He remembered a promise he made to her at age 10—to buy her a house. He fulfilled that childhood vow, gifting her a spacious home with a garden and even a backyard tennis court. “For old times’ sake,” he joked.
A Reunion to Remember
When Novak visited her, they shared an emotional reunion. He hugged her tightly, telling her, “You believed in me when I was just a kid. Now it’s my turn to believe in you.” Gladis, moved to tears, responded, “You kept your promise, little one.”
A Ripple Effect
The Guardian Project soon grew, aiding countless caretakers and inspiring other public figures to join the cause. At the foundation’s launch event, Novak said, “Behind every success is someone like Miss Gladis—someone who made a difference quietly, but profoundly.”
Years later, Gladis, now living comfortably, watched the sunset from her garden, remembering the boy she once helped raise. With a smile, she whispered, “You really did it, little one.”
