🎾 Lorenzo Musetti vs Novak Djokovic
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Few tennis players feel more about their country than Novak Djokovic. The champion of 24 Grand Slams, who is in the quarterfinals of the Open the Australia 2026not only lives for tennis, but also for his country. However, the institutional image within the country was clouded by its support for students who denounce the corruption of Aleksandar Vucic’s government.
It all started in November 2024 with the collapse of the canopy at the newly renovated Novi Sad train station, which caused the death of sixteen people. Large-scale demonstrations and strikes broke out across Serbia, with tens of thousands of people leading the way, led by students, interpreting the tragedy as evidence of the corruption and incompetence of the authorities and demanding greater transparency and political changes.
Djokovic, who to date was Serbia’s greatest ambassador, used to be the external image of his country, proud of the pride of being Serbian and the history of a people very marked by the Balkan war. However, the champion of 24 Grand Slams had never shown his disagreement with the nation’s government.
Without ever making a public statement, aware of its impact, he left messages of support for the protests. Like the day he put on a sweatshirt that said ‘students are champions’. That simple gesture made it clear which side Djokovic was on.
Despite the Serbian government’s attempts to prevent it, Novak Djokovic has more and more support in his country
This opposition to the government had consequences, such as the transfer of his residence from Belgrade to Greece, which also affected the ATP tournament owned by his family, which was moved from being held in Belgrade to being held for the first time in Athens. However, while those in power try to make him invisible, his popular support is becoming more and more massive.
“Having had the opportunity to be a student last year, I can attest that all kinds of support are essential. It motivates you even more, dispels your doubts about the validity of your decisions and encourages you to persevere. When Novak Djokovic expressed his support for the students in a subtle but precise way, I was not surprised,” said Mateja Zeljkovic, a member of the anti-corruption movement, in an interview with L’Equipe.
“I think he perfectly embodies success, altruism and kindness. Few adjectives can do him justice. His support touched all Serbs, if only to provoke a reaction: ‘Wait… Novak is with us, the students!’ This had an excellent effect, because Novak is someone who all Serbian citizens respect.. When a personality like that has the courage to openly, loudly and clearly oppose those in power, it is incredible!” comments his compatriot.
The support for the Serb is such and his figure is seen as the main opposition to the government that many wonder why not, when he finishes his tennis career, run for election to become president of Serbia.
Although he would have great support, Andrej Josifovski, author of a mural of Djokovic in Belgrade, does not see him in that position: “Maybe he can be president one day, but I don’t know if he has that ambition. Due to the demands of his career, he will probably want to dedicate time to himself afterwards. They say he has chosen a side, but this is the only one possible. Because either you are here because of the dictatorship or you are normal. And he is quite normal,” says one of his compatriots who, while they continue enjoying their tennis, appreciate the support of the most universal Serbian.
