Djokovic, the best Serbian ambassador and a possible future president?

Andrés Tomás Rico | 27 Jan 2026 | 18.00

Djokovic, the best Serbian ambassador and possible future president? Photo: Getty Images

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Few tennis players feel their country more than Novak Djokovic. The champion of 24 Grand Slams, who is currently in the quarterfinals of the 2026 Australian Open, not only lives for tennis but also for his country. However, his institutional image within the country was tarnished by his support for students denouncing 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 erupted throughout Serbia, with tens of thousands of people at the forefront, led by students, who saw the tragedy as evidence of the corruption and incompetence of the authorities and demanded greater transparency and political changes.

Djokovic, who up to that point was Serbia's greatest ambassador, used to be the external image of his country, boasting of the pride of being Serbian and the history of a people heavily marked by the Balkan wars. However, the 24-time Grand Slam champion had never shown his disagreement with the government of the nation.

Without ever making a public statement, aware of his impact, he began sending messages of support to the protests. Like the day he wore a sweatshirt that read 'students are champions.' That simple gesture made it clear which side Djokovic stood on.

Despite the Serbian government's attempts to prevent it, Novak Djokovic is gaining more support in his country

This opposition to the government had consequences, such as moving his residence from Belgrade to Greece, which also impacted the ATP tournament owned by his family, transitioning from being held in Belgrade to taking place for the first time in Athens. However, while authorities try to make him invisible, his popular support is becoming 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 students in a subtle yet precise way, I was not surprised," stated Mateja Zeljkovic, a member of the anti-corruption movement, in an interview with L’Equipe.

"I believe he perfectly embodies success, altruism, and kindness. Few adjectives can do him justice. His support moved all Serbs, if only to provoke a reaction: ‘Wait... Novak is with us, the students!’. This had an excellent effect because Novak is someone all Serbian citizens respect. When a personality like him has the courage to openly, loudly, and clearly oppose those in power, it's incredible!" commented his compatriot.

The support for the Serbian is such, and his figure is seen as the primary opposition to the government, that many wonder why, after his tennis career ends, he doesn't run for president of Serbia.

Although he would have significant support, Andrej Josifovski, the artist behind a mural of Djokovic in Belgrade, doesn't see him in that position: “Maybe he can be president someday, but I don't know if he has that ambition. Due to the demands of his career, he probably wants to dedicate time to himself afterward. They say he has chosen a side, but this is the only possible one. Because either you are here for the dictatorship or you are normal. And he is pretty normal,” concluded one of his compatriots who, while continuing to enjoy his tennis, appreciate the support of the most universal Serbian.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic, el mejor embajador serbio y ¿posible presidente en un futuro?