The message from the President of Serbia to Djokovic: "I will not change my beliefs"
Aleksandar Vucic has spoken about his political differences with the country's biggest superstar, which have led to his departure to Athens with his family.
Novak Djokovic has started 2026 with great news in the sporting arena, after reaching the final of the recent Australian Open. However, since the end of last year, the Serbian tennis player has moved to Athens (Greece) due to political differences with Aleksandar Vucic - President of Serbia - who has sent a strong message to the GOAT of tennis.
In December 2024, Djokovic supported the student-led protests against Vucic and the government, resulting in a smear campaign against the former number one of the ATP rankings due to his political stance. The trigger for the conflict was the collapse of a train station marquee that led to the death of 16 people, sparking demonstrations in 400 cities and towns. The Serbian government targeted Djokovic, leading to his departure, and Vucic has commented on the country's top star.
During the Australian Open, the President of Serbia praised Novak on TV Pink despite their differences. “I wholeheartedly support Djokovic and all who bear the Serbian tricolor flag, and I look forward to his success. Against Sinner, he demonstrated something incredible. He is the greatest of this era in a challenging and demanding sport. It is more than just a congratulation; he represents his country with dignity and popularizes it,” he stated.
Aleksandar Vucic reveals the conversation he had with Novak Djokovic
Nevertheless, he remained firm regarding his political stance, sending a message to Novak and all those who oppose him. He also revealed that they had a conversation, but they did not manage to find common ground. "I told him what I thought, I would say it even more harshly now. Not against him, but about the situation we were in. I will not change my beliefs under the influence of any sports star, performance, or entertainment."
Djokovic is a person with deeply rooted values, firm in his ideals. Thus, upon seeing how his own government turned against him and tried to discredit him, he has made the decision to move away from the country to a calmer city, where they have already shown their gratitude for having the greatest tennis player of all time as a resident. Perhaps with time, the situation will calm down, and both Novak and his family can return to live in Serbia, but for now, both sides' positions seem immovable.
This is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, El mensaje del Presidente de Serbia a Djokovic: "No cambiaré mis creencias"