Vucic Breaks Silence on Novak Leaving Serbia: 'I Told Him What I Thought'

President Aleksandar Vucic has sent a blunt message to novak Djokovic after the tennis star left Serbia amid a smear campaign tied to his political stance; Djokovic relocated to Athens in September last year with his wife, Jelena, and their two children, Stefan and Tara.

Novak relocated to Athens in September with his family

Belgrade-born Djokovic moved to Greece’s capital in September last year, settling in Athens with his wife Jelena and their children Stefan and Tara, a relocation he has not explicitly explained; it is described in the available material as believed to be linked to him being at odds with the Serbian government.

Smear campaign followed December 2024 protest support and Novi Sad deaths

In December 2024, Djokovic publicly backed student-led protests against President Aleksandar Vucic and the government after an anti-corruption movement erupted following the collapse of a railway station canopy in Novi Sad that killed 16 people; demonstrators accused police and local authorities of negligence and corruption, and protests had spread to 400 cities and towns by March 2025.

Government and media pressure, claims by Jaschar Dugalic

Jaschar Dugalic, a journalist for Neue Zurcher Zeitung, said the Serbian government “set its sights” on Djokovic after his stance, and wrote that regime-friendly media attacked his character; tabloid Informer branded him “a disgrace” and, after reports he was considering moving to Athens, called him “a false patriot who had presented himself as a symbol of Serbia for years only to now flee to Greece. ” Dugalic also noted that an entrepreneur and opponent of the protests published a video linking Djokovic’s father to an alleged paedophile.

Vucic praised Djokovic on TV Pink during the Australian Open

On TV Pink, as quoted by Sport Klub, Vucic publicly congratulated Djokovic on his Australian Open form and said, "I wholeheartedly support Djokovic and all the people who wear the Serbian tricolour, and [I am] looking forward to his success. " Vucic added that Djokovic showed "something incredible in those years" and called him "the greatest of this time in a difficult and demanding sport, " saying "Regardless of the result of the final, I support him. " In a separate remark, Vucic said, "I told him what I thought... I will not change my convictions under the influence of any sports, theater, or entertainment star. "

2026 Australian Open: Sinner semi, Alcaraz final

At the age of 38, Djokovic became the oldest player to reach an Australian Open final with his run at the 2026 Melbourne major last month; the 24-time Grand Slam champion downed Jannik Sinner in an epic five-set semi-final before falling in four sets to world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the title match.

Public labels and the fallout inside Serbia

The articles note sustained attacks in Serbia’s tabloid media and political commentary—Informer labeled Djokovic a "disgrace" and later a "false patriot" after news of his planned move to Athens, while Dugalic highlighted a video published by an entrepreneur that linked Djokovic’s father to an alleged paedophile, all elements tied to the broader protest movement that began after the Novi Sad canopy collapse.

It is unclear in the provided context what Djokovic's next public plans or official steps will be.