For more than two decades, Novak Djokovic has carried Serbia’s flag across the globe, transforming himself from a promising youngster in Belgrade to one of the greatest tennis players in history. He’s not just a tennis player – he is Serbia’s most celebrated ambassador, and national pride. 

From staying in bunkers with his family during times of conflict to enduring tough childhood days where surviving as a family became more important than chasing his tennis dreams, Serbia has taught him how to become stronger and prouder. Talking about the pride of representing the nation, there was a time when he was even offered British citizenship. However, Novak Djokovic had rejected that opportunity because of his love for his motherland.

In a previous interview, Djokovic revealed that his great performances in age-group tournaments got noticed by tennis agents, resulting in an offer. “It was very tempting at that time for my parents. My parents would get a job, my family would have a house. It was a great, great deal, I’m not saying that we would be particularly wrong if we did that. Who knows where the journey would have taken us?”

He further added, “But I didn’t need the money as much as I had done. I had begun to make some for myself, enough to afford to travel with a coach, and I said, ‘Why the heck?’ I am Serbian, I am proud of being a Serbian, I didn’t want to spoil that just because another country had better conditions.”

Yet, beneath the glory and the endless applause, lies a paradox: the very nation that built him, and the nation he proudly represents, now often feels like a place he cannot truly stay. But why? Novak Djokovic’s patriotism is evident in his fierce pride for Serbia, which he views as a source of strength and inspiration, particularly after enduring the hardship of the Balkan Wars during his childhood. He had two massive successes, representing his nation. The first one came in 2010 when he led Serbia to Davis Cup glory, and then the next one came at the Paris Olympics. After winning the gold medal at the Olympics, Djokovic said, “Everything about winning the Olympic gold medal was special, but most of all it is my country.”

He also added, “It’s my pride to play for Serbia. I know Carlos (Alcaraz) and Rafa (Nadal), they love to play for Spain. Andy (Murray) loved to play for Great Britain. Roger (Federer) for Switzerland. Alex Zverev won in Tokyo for Germany. You saw the reactions of all these guys when they won. It’s something special.” But despite being a proud Serbian, latest reports suggest that following a clash with the Serbian government, Novak Djokovic has now relocated with his family to Athens, where he has settled in an exclusive coastal neighborhood and is planning to open a tennis academy. 

According to the Greek outlet, Proto Thema, Novak Djokovic has purchased a residence in Glyfada, an upscale coastal area south of the capital, where he now lives with his wife and children. The Daily Mail reported that he has also enrolled his two children, Stefan and Tara, in a private school where they started the new academic year. Additionally, speculation indicates that Djokovic may also apply for a Greek Golden Visa, a residency program granted in exchange for investment. He has also met twice with the Greek Prime Minister in August on the island of Tinos. Besides the change in the family’s address, the family-run Belgrade Open will now take place in Athens.

Interestingly, this decision comes after a heated standoff with figures close to the Serbian president Aleksandar Vucic, who branded him a “traitor” for supporting student-led protests against corruption and in demand of new elections. Who would say that just a year ago, he was being celebrated as a national hero for winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics? Even the government officials had planned to build a museum in his honor!

In a previous instance, Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic called Djokovic “the greatest ambassador of Serbia,” but now, pro-Vucic media is criticizing him.

What a turnaround! Novak Djokovic is now expected to attend this weekend’s Davis Cup tie at the OAKA Stadium, where Greece, led by Stefanos Tsitsipas, will face Brazil. He has also confirmed his participation in the ATP 250 tournament in Athens, scheduled for November 2-8.

Perhaps this is not the first time a tennis star has been forced to leave their country.

Martina Navratilova

Fifty years ago, Martina Navratilova left everything in communist Czechoslovakia to start a new life in the US. Then, an 18-year-old high schooler, Navratilova was one of the Cold War’s most high-profile defectors, and she would later go on to become one of tennis’ most iconic players. She left the country in order to pursue her dreams, and her father completely supported her decision to flee the country. Later on, she also became a naturalized American.

Ivan Lendl

Just like Martina Navratilova, another Czech star, Ivan Lendl left Czechoslovakia because of growing political and official friction, particularly after he played a tournament in apartheid South Africa in 1983, which led to a ban and fine from the Czechoslovak authorities. 

Following this incident, he applied for a US Permanent Resident Card in 1987, hoping to obtain US citizenship in time to represent the US in the 1988 Olympic Games and in the Davis Cup. A bill in Congress to bypass the traditional five-year waiting procedure was rejected in 1988 because Czechoslovak authorities refused to provide the necessary waivers. Lendl then became an American citizen on July 7, 1992.

Monica Seles

Born and raised in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), to an ethnic Hungarian family, Monica Seles became a naturalized American citizen in 1994, and she received Hungarian citizenship in June 2007. Seles had also received honorary citizenship of Novi Sad in 1993.

Interesting Fact: Do you know that Novak Djokovic recently revealed that he’s exploring a short-term coaching collaboration with his childhood idol, Monica Seles, describing it as more emotional than long-term.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallySports. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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Edited by

Purva Jain