Athens, Greece – Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion, is relocating his family to Athens, Greece, reportedly due to political disagreements with Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, according to Serbian media reports surfacing August 4, 2024. The move comes as Djokovic’s family-run Belgrade Open tennis tournament has been shifted to Athens this year.
Djokovic and his wife, Jelena, were in Athens this spring to secure a family home and enroll their children in a private school, with the full relocation planned following the US Open (August 24 – September 7). The family has two children: Stefan (born 2007) and Tara (born 2017).
The reported conflict stems from Djokovic’s public support for student-led protests in Serbia against government corruption. Tensions escalated in march following large demonstrations in Belgrade, the largest anti-government rallies Serbia has seen since protests began in 2023. Djokovic previously voiced support for protesters during the Australian Open in January,stating,”My support is for young people,for students and for those who are the future of my country.”
The protests were initially sparked by a November 2023 tragedy at the Novi Sad railway station, where a shed collapse resulted in 15 fatalities. Protesters allege widespread corruption contributed to the unsafe conditions at the station. The incident and subsequent demonstrations have focused on concerns regarding infrastructure safety and governmental accountability.
The Belgrade Open, traditionally held in Serbia, will now be hosted in Athens in November, with Djokovic expected to participate.This marks a meaningful shift for the tournament,which has been a fixture on the Serbian sporting calendar since its inception in 2009.
The relationship between Djokovic and Vučić, who has previously publicly supported the tennis star, has reportedly deteriorated due to these differing stances on the protests. Vučić’s government has faced increasing scrutiny regarding allegations of corruption and a lack of transparency.
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