Novak Confronts Political Storm: Serbian President Sends Harsh Message After Exile to Athens
novak Djokovic has been thrust into a wider political confrontation after leaving Serbia for Athens, and Serbia’s president has issued a blunt message that underlines the intensifying dispute between the tennis icon and elements of his country’s establishment. The move and the president’s comments come amid a smear campaign tied to Djokovic’s recent public stance on nationwide protests.
Novak's relocation to Athens and family details
Belgrade-born Djokovic relocated to Athens in September last year with his wife, Jelena, and their two children, Stefan and Tara. He has not explicitly stated the reason for the move; it is believed to be related to him being at odds with the Serbian government.
Smear campaign and attacks on Djokovic's character
After Djokovic expressed support for student-led protests in December 2024, a smear campaign targeted him. A German journalist, Jaschar Dugalic, outlined how pro-government media set their sights on Djokovic and mounted character attacks. A tabloid branded the tennis star a "disgrace, " and another outlet later labelled him "a false patriot who had presented himself as a symbol of Serbia for years only to now flee to Greece. "
The campaign reportedly included an entrepreneur opposed to the protests publishing a video that linked Djokovic’s father to an alleged paedophile. Those attacks compounded pressure on Djokovic and preceded his relocation.
Protests and the Novi Sad tragedy that sparked unrest
The unrest that formed the backdrop to Djokovic's intervention began after the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people. Demonstrators accused Serbian police and local authorities of negligence and corruption. The movement escalated: protests spread to 400 cities and towns by March 2025, and student-led action drew public figures like Djokovic into the dispute.
Australian Open 2026 run and Serbia's presidential response
At age 38, Djokovic became the oldest player to reach an Australian Open final with his run at the 2026 edition last month. The 24-time Grand Slam champion defeated Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set semi-final before falling in four sets to world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the final. novak's performance on the Melbourne stage drew public comment from Serbia’s president, who offered congratulations and praise while also stressing his own political stance.
Speaking on television, the president said he "wholeheartedly support[s] Djokovic and all the people who wear the Serbian tricolour" and described Djokovic as representing the country with dignity. At the same time, the president added that he had told Djokovic "what I thought" and declared: "I will not change my convictions under the influence of any sports, theater, or entertainment star. " That mixture of praise and defiance encapsulates the current tension.
Implications and what to watch next
The sequence of events ties a major sporting figure’s public stance to a national political crisis: a fatal infrastructure disaster, mass protests, public solidarity from a leading athlete, and an aggressive media reaction. The president’s conciliatory praise of on-court achievement sits alongside an insistence that his political positions will not be swayed by celebrity status, signalling no immediate reconciliation.
Recent updates indicate this situation remains fluid and politically charged; details may evolve as the parties involved respond. For now, Djokovic’s move to Athens, the ongoing smear claims, and the president’s mixed message form the central facts of a story that continues to develop.
