Novak Djokovic vs. The State: Why The Tennis GOAT Ditched His Homeland
Novak Djokovic, the man who seemingly defies time and tennis physics, is back at the Shanghai Masters. But this isn’t just another tournament for the 24-time Grand Slam champion. He arrives not just as a competitor, but as a man embroiled in a political firestorm back in Serbia, a saga that has seen him ditch his long-held retirement dreams. It’s a drama juicier than a courtside argument, and it all started with him doing something surprisingly… normal.
Almost a month ago, a 38-year-old Djokovic was handed a rather humbling defeat by the young phenom Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. While a loss like that would send most players into a spiral of self-doubt, Djokovic found himself in a completely different kind of battle – one against his own government. His crime? Siding with student protestors.
How Did Djokovic Get on the Serbian Government’s Bad Side?
It was supposed to be a victory lap era for Djokovic. Fresh off an Olympic gold, there were even whispers of a museum being built in his honor in Belgrade, announced by President Aleksandar Vucic himself. But the hero worship took a sharp turn when Djokovic publicly supported protests against the government following the tragic Novi Sad canopy collapse that killed 16 people.
Like any sane person with a conscience, Djokovic took to social media. “As someone who deeply believes in the power of young people and their desire for a better future, I consider it important that their voice is heard,” he wrote. He didn’t stop there, sharing images of a 300,000-strong march with the caption, “History, amazing!”
You’d think a national icon supporting his people would be a good look. You’d be wrong. Suddenly, the pro-regime media machine turned on him. The local tabloid, Informer, didn’t just disagree; it branded him a “disgrace” and a “false patriot.” It’s a classic playbook: when you can’t argue the point, attack the person. The narrative spun was that Djokovic was a traitor for even considering leaving Serbia.
President Vucic, of course, played it cool. He told the same tabloid, “I will never say a bad word against him… I will always cheer for him with all my heart.” It’s a politically savvy move that reads like, “I love the guy, but my media attack dogs are just doing their thing.” Classic.
Why Did Djokovic Ditch His £500k Retirement Pad?
For years, the plan was simple. After conquering the tennis world, Djokovic would settle down in his native Belgrade. According to his father, Srdjan, this was the endgame. He wasn’t just planning it; he was building it. In 2018, he bought a three-bedroom penthouse for a surprisingly modest £505,000, overlooking the Danube River. He even snapped up a villa near Lake Pavlova for a country escape.
The setup was perfect. His parents were nearby, the family’s “Restaurant Novak” was just a short drive away, and the Novak Tennis Centre, a monument to his legacy, was right there. It was a retirement paradise custom-built for a king.
But when you poke the political bear, paradise can quickly turn into a PR nightmare. The smear campaign, which many believe was orchestrated by the government, made his dream of a quiet life in Belgrade untenable. Suddenly, the place he called home felt a lot less welcoming.
Where is Djokovic Living Now?
In a move that screams “I’m out of here,” Djokovic relocated his family to Athens, Greece last month. Why Greece? He’s apparently chummy with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and was spotted house-hunting there over the summer. His kids, Stefan and Tara, are now reportedly enrolled in a private British school, and the family has settled in the Southern Suburbs.
When a Greek outlet tried to get the scoop, Djokovic played it coy. “I’m with my son now, sorry,” he said, before adding, “I don’t know, I don’t know,” when asked if the move was permanent. It’s the classic celebrity “please leave me alone” line, but the actions speak louder than words. You don’t just enroll your kids in a new school for a short holiday.
Can Djokovic Still Win Another Grand Slam?
Now, with all this off-court drama, Djokovic is trying to get back to what he does best: winning. He’s in Shanghai, a tournament he’s won a record four times, looking to regain some form. This past year was a rare one for him – no Grand Slams to add to the trophy case. For a guy who eats records for breakfast, that has to sting.
The ultimate goal is clear: that elusive 25th Grand Slam. It would officially put him past Margaret Court and end any debate about who the GOAT is. But it’s not getting any easier. The new generation, led by Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, is here, and they’re not intimidated. Father Time is undefeated, and Djokovic’s window is, realistically, shrinking.
His next big chance is the Australian Open, his personal playground where he’s won 10 times. A final, epic run would be the stuff of legends. But the question remains: can a man at war with his own country, juggling a family move and the pressures of being Djokovic, find the focus to pull it off one more time?
