Novak Djokovic is said to have enrolled his children in a Greek school, stoking rumours of a move from his native Serbia after the tennis player was demonised by state-backed media over his support for anti-government protests.
The 24-time grand-slam winner and Serbian national hero has also been seen scouting for homes in Athens, has met the Greek prime minister and has shifted a tennis tournament he runs from Belgrade to the Greek capital.
It all follows him being called a traitor by tabloids loyal to President Vucic of Serbia.
Serbia has been rocked by protests after the collapse of a station canopy in Novi Sad, which killed 16 people last November, was blamed on corrupt government contracting. Students accuse Vucic of managing kickbacks, snuffing out democratic checks and balances and having ties to drug-running gangs and football hooligans — claims he has denied.
University students filled the streets a major junction in Belgrade for a 24-hour blockade in November
DJORDJE KOJADINOVIC/REUTERS
Vucic has responded by stepping up the arrest of protesters while police have been accused of standing by as masked thugs beat up demonstrators.
Djokovic, 38, threw his weight behind the protesters in December, saying: “As someone who deeply believes in the power of young people and their desire for a better future, I believe it is important that their voices are heard.”
Playing at the Australian Open in January he expressed solidarity for a student who was run over and seriously injured when protesters blocked a road. He has since posted images of large rallies and worn a jumper reading, “Students are Champions”.
Djokovic was spotted wearing a “students are champions” hoodie in Belgrade
At Wimbledon in July, he made a pumping gesture with his arms, seen as a tribute to the protesters’ slogan “Pumpaj”, which means “keep pumping”. He is an unlikely opponent of Vucic’s government, which has nurtured Serbian nationalism.
Djokovic first began to show signs of opposition to Vucic’s nationalist government in 2021 when he backed protests against plans for a new lithium mine in Serbia.
His growing support for the students has incurred the wrath of Serbian tabloids, which target Vucic’s enemies. After fêting him as a national icon they have claimed he is backing violence and hinted he is taking performance enhancing drugs.
Misa Baculov Ronin, founder of the Hero of the Streets protest group, said: “On TV he is being called a mercenary paid by foreign governments to bring the government down.”