Serbian President's First Comment on Controversy After Djokovic's Family Relocated to Greece

Last year, Djokovic's relocation to Athens sparked numerous inquiries in Serbia. Despite Djokovic not openly explaining the precise cause, it is generally thought that this action is connected to the strained relations he has with the Serbian government. Now, there is a new development in this dispute—following a sequence of defamation attempts, this 38-year-old athlete has been given a straightforward "message" by the Serbian President.

Serbian President Vučić spoke about Djokovic on TV Pink (as reported by Sport Klub) and congratulated him on reaching the Australian Open final. "I wholeheartedly support Djokovic, and all those who wear the Serbian tricolor, and I look forward to his success," Vučić said. He praised Djokovic's achievements on the global stage.

The President specifically mentioned Djokovic's performance in the semifinals, commending his brave display against Sinner at the Australian Open. "He has shown incredible things over these years (especially in the match against Sinner). He is the greatest player of this era in a difficult and highly demanding sport. This is far more than a congratulation; he represents his country with dignity and makes the nation more renowned. Regardless of the final result, I support him." This statement demonstrates profound respect.

Subsequently, Vučić revealed that he had a direct phone call with Djokovic. He stated that the conversation was very frank and did not hide his own stance. "I told him what I thought, and now I would even say it more harshly. Not directed at him personally, but regarding the situation we were in at that time. I will not change my convictions because of any influence from sports, entertainment, or celebrity figures." These words reflect his firm political position.

Regarding the background, Djokovic moved to Athens last September with his wife Jelena and their two children, Stefan and Tara. Since then, some of his public remarks have further fueled speculation. In December 2024, Djokovic publicly expressed support for student-led protests. These protests targeted President Vučić and the government, drawing nationwide attention. As early as November, local protests erupted after a railway station canopy collapse that killed 16 people. Demonstrators accused the authorities of negligence and corruption in the renovation project.

By March 2025, the protests had spread to 400 cities and towns, with public discontent continuing to rise. Djokovic also voiced his opinion on social media: "As someone who deeply believes in the power of youth and their desire for a better future, I think it is crucial to listen to their voices. Serbia has enormous potential, and educated young people are its greatest asset. We all need understanding and respect. With you, Novak." He wrote on platform X.

In March, he also shared protest photos on Instagram when about 300,000 people gathered. He captioned it: "A historic moment, truly amazing!" Reporter Jaschar Dugalic of Neue Zürcher Zeitung reported that due to Djokovic's stance, the Serbian government "targeted him." The report also noted that "pro-regime media" attacked his image. The tabloid Informer called him a "disgrace" and described him as a "fake patriot who for years posed as a Serbian symbol but has now fled to Greece." Even during the Australian Open, Djokovic faced intense political turbulence, with controversy and public debate following him throughout his campaign in Australia.

Many Serbians blame the fatal disaster on corruption and low safety standards during the renovation. This tragedy triggered nationwide anger, and the protests became one of the largest and longest-lasting demonstrations in Serbia in recent years, attracting hundreds of thousands of participants. Amid this turmoil, Djokovic was drawn into the political whirlpool.

During Wimbledon, Djokovic made a "pump it up" celebration gesture. In Serbia, the word "pump" has become associated with the student anti-government movement, giving this gesture a politically sensitive connotation. After the Wimbledon celebration, a mural depicting him making the same gesture appeared in downtown Belgrade but was later covered with black paint.

The street artist who created the mural told L'Équipe: "Novak supported our protests in many ways. But in a low-key manner, such as likes or brief words. At Wimbledon, he did that 'pump' gesture, and everyone knew what it meant. That day I received countless messages, people telling me: 'Novak is pumping it up too!'"

Additionally, the Belgrade Open, operated by the Djokovic family, later relocated to Greece. When asked why he moved, Djokovic explained: "Also because of the good weather, the food is excellent, you are on one of the most beautiful coastlines in Europe and the world. I love the lifestyle there, and I truly feel that Greeks and Serbs are like brothers, that's the main reason."

Now, as he prepares to compete at Indian Wells, tensions within Serbia continue, and the world is closely watching the developments.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Spark)