{"id":173839,"date":"2025-10-01T22:47:09","date_gmt":"2025-10-01T22:47:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/173839\/"},"modified":"2025-10-01T22:47:09","modified_gmt":"2025-10-01T22:47:09","slug":"novak-djokovic-uproots-family-and-confirms-future-plans","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/173839\/","title":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic uproots family and confirms future plans"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>Novak Djokovic has confirmed his return to the tennis court this month in what will be his first tournament since his semi-final defeat at the US Open<\/p>\n<p>Jack McEachen and Fasika Zelealem Senior Sports Reporter <\/p>\n<p>12:30, 01 Oct 2025<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_TENNIS-ATP-SUI.jpg\" loading=\"eager\"  \/>(Image: AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Novak Djokovic has confirmed he&#8217;ll be taking part in the Shanghai Masters, following his reported move to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/Greece\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Greece<\/a> with his family. The Serbian<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/tennis\/\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> tennis<\/a> ace hadn&#8217;t played professionally since his <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-carlos-alcaraz-mcenroe-35859857\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"semi-final defeat at the US OpenLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">semi-final defeat at the US Open<\/a>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">Following his loss at Flushing Meadows,<a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/all-about\/novak-djokovic\" target=\"_self\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\"> Djokovic<\/a> and his family have reportedly relocated to Athens, according to <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.tennis24.gr\/o-tzokovits-stin-athina-gia-monimi-egkatastasi\/\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"Tennis24Link opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">Tennis24<\/a>. His two children, Stefan, 10, and Tara, eight, are said to have been enrolled at St. Lawrence College, a private British school, while the family have settled in the Southern Suburbs.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The tennis icon has been spotted around the area, including hitting the court with his son at the Kavouri Tennis Club. It&#8217;s believed that the Djokovic family moved from Belgrade, Serbia, amid allegations that he was targeted by the government after showing support for student-led protests against President Aleksandar Vucic last December.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">While Djokovic hasn&#8217;t publicly criticised the government or president, it&#8217;s emerged that he planned to relocate his family to Greece through the Golden Visa programme, which offers residency to non-EU citizens who invest in the country.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">His future had been uncertain following the move, but Djokovic&#8217;s participation in the Shanghai Masters has now been confirmed and he is officially in the draw.<\/p>\n<p>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/tennis\/djokovic-laver-up-federer-alcaraz-35915770\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35915770\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Reason why Novak Djokovic has snubbed Roger Federer&#8217;s Laver Cup plea to him and Carlos Alcaraz<\/a>READ MORE: <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/tennis\/roger-federer-rafael-nadal-comeback-35938319\" data-tmdatatrack=\"read-more\" data-tmdatatrack-articleid=\"35938319\" data-tmdatatrack-source=\"editorial\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\">Roger Federer gives tennis comeback with Rafael Nadal green light in joint new venture<\/a><\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">The seasoned player could be set for a potential showdown with <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/news\/world-news\/\" target=\"\" aria-label=\"\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">world<\/a> No. 2 and defending champion Jannik Sinner, who Djokovic could face in the semi-final. Djokovic was defeated by Sinner in the final four of both the French Open and Wimbledon this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">He enters the tournament as the fourth seed and will play Marin Cilic in his opening match, before a potential third-round tie with Frances Tiafoe, Andrey Rublev waiting in the fourth round and a possible quarter-final against Ben Shelton or Casper Ruud.<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/1_Novak-Djokovic-fan-tribute-at-2025-US-Open.jpg\" alt=\"Novak Djokovic paying tribute to fans at the 2025 US Open\" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>Novak Djokovic will take on Marin Cilic in the opening round of the Shanghai Masters (Image: Getty)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">On the other side of the draw, Carlos Alcaraz can face Alexander Zverev in the opposite semi-final. Djokovic has struggled to overcome Alcaraz and Sinner in 2024, but vowed to keep fighting after his US Open exit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;It will be very difficult for me in the future to overcome the hurdle of Sinner, Alcaraz, in the best-of-five on the Grand Slams,&#8221; Djokovic admitted. &#8220;I think I have a better chance in best-of-three, but best-of-five, it&#8217;s tough.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">&#8220;I&#8217;m not giving up on Grand Slams in that regard, having said that. I&#8217;m going to continue fighting and trying to get to the finals and fight for another trophy at least. But, you know, it&#8217;s going to be a very difficult task.&#8221;<\/p>\n<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/10\/0_TOPSHOT-TENNIS-OLY-PARIS-2024.jpg\" alt=\"Serbia's Novak Djokovic gives his wife Jelena a kiss as he celebrates with his family in the crowd after beating Spain's Carlos Alcaraz in their men's singles final tennis match on Court Philippe-Chatrier at the Roland-Garros Stadium during the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, in Paris on August 4, 2024. \" loading=\"lazy\"  \/>The Serb has reportedly relocated to Greece with his family(Image: MIGUEL MEDINA, AFP via Getty Images)<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">It was in May when the Serb captured his most recent title, <a class=\"TextLink_text-link__dBSS0 TextLink_enabled__dJF3l\" href=\"https:\/\/www.mirror.co.uk\/sport\/tennis\/novak-djokovic-becomes-third-man-35282798\" target=\"_blank\" aria-label=\"and also his 100thLink opens in a new tab.\" tabindex=\"0\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\">and also his 100th<\/a>, at the Geneva Open when besting Hubert Hurkacz in three sets.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">He became just the third man after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer to capture a century or more tournament victories in the Open Era, which occurred just two days after turning 38 years old.<\/p>\n<p class=\"Paragraph_paragraph-text__PVKlh \" data-tmdatatrack=\"content-unit\" data-tmdatatrack-type=\"paragraph\" publication=\"mirror\">After the match, he said in an on-court interview: &#8220;I\u2019m just grateful to clinch the 100 here, I had to work for it, that is for sure.&#8221; He&#8217;ll surely hope to make it 101 singles titles to his name in Shanghai this month.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Novak Djokovic has confirmed his return to the tennis court this month in what will be his first&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":173840,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[63514,6766,31742,101,118,56,54,55],"class_list":{"0":"post-173839","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-tennis","8":"tag-marin-cilic","9":"tag-novak-djokovic","10":"tag-shanghai-masters","11":"tag-sports","12":"tag-tennis","13":"tag-uk","14":"tag-united-kingdom","15":"tag-unitedkingdom"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173839","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=173839"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/173839\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/173840"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=173839"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=173839"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/uk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=173839"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}