In a dramatic escalation of tensions in Serbia, Srdjan Djokovic, father of tennis icon Novak Djokovic, has become the target of a vicious smear campaign, allegedly orchestrated as retaliation for his son’s public support of student-led protests against President Aleksandar Vucic. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, a national hero revered for his unparalleled achievements, has found himself and his family at the center of a political firestorm as Serbia grapples with demands for systemic change. The campaign against Srdjan, marked by baseless accusations and media attacks, highlights the deepening divide between Vucic’s government and a growing movement of dissenters, with Novak’s global platform amplifying the stakes.
The unrest in Serbia erupted in November 2024 following the tragic collapse of a concrete canopy at a Novi Sad railway station, claiming 15 lives. Students, enraged by what they see as rampant corruption under Vucic’s 12-year rule, have led nationwide protests, blocking bridges and rallying in front of state television headquarters in Belgrade. Novak Djokovic, a proud Serb who has long championed his country’s spirit, voiced his support for the protesters, emphasizing the power of youth to drive change. “As someone who deeply believes in the strength of young people and their desire for a better future, I believe it is important for their voices to be heard,” he wrote on social media in December 2024. His actions, including dedicating a January 2025 victory to an injured student protester and sharing images of a massive 300,000-strong march with the caption “History, amazing!”, have galvanized the movement but drawn the ire of Vucic’s allies.
The smear campaign against Srdjan Djokovic emerged as a calculated response. A Serbian entrepreneur, described as a staunch Vucic supporter, posted a video falsely linking Srdjan to heinous allegations of pedophilia, a claim designed to tarnish the Djokovic family’s reputation. This attack coincided with reports that Novak and his family were planning to relocate to Athens, Greece, prompting pro-government tabloid *Informer* to brand him a “false patriot” who had “presented himself as a symbol of Serbia for years, only to now flee to Greece.” The narrative shift was stark: Novak, once celebrated as Serbia’s pride, was now painted as a traitor by regime-friendly media. “Serbia has enormous potential and educated youth is its greatest strength,” Djokovic countered on social media, reaffirming his commitment to his homeland’s future without directly criticizing Vucic.
President Vucic, presenting himself as a unifying figure, has publicly distanced himself from the attacks while offering measured praise for Djokovic. After Novak’s failure to reach the 2025 Wimbledon final, Vucic declared, “That man is a legend of Serbia. I support him wholeheartedly. He can speak against me as much as he wants and support my opponents. But to say something bad about him – that is stupid and ridiculous.” Yet, the smear campaign against Srdjan suggests a more calculated effort to undermine the Djokovic family’s influence, particularly as Novak’s “pumping” celebration at Wimbledon—linked to the protest slogan “Pumpaj!”—was seen as a subtle nod to the demonstrators. Djokovic denied political intent, claiming the gesture was inspired by a song he dances to with his children, but the symbolism resonated deeply with protesters.
The Djokovic family is no stranger to controversy. Srdjan, a vocal figure known for his fierce defense of his son, has previously stirred debate with provocative statements, including comparing Novak’s 2022 Australian Open deportation to “an assassination attempt” and accusing Western powers of targeting Serbia. “They’re stomping all over him to stomp all over Serbia,” he said during that saga, rallying supporters in Belgrade. His past associations, including a 2023 incident where he was filmed with pro-Russian supporters at the Australian Open, have fueled criticism, with some labeling him a “rabble-rouser.” Yet, Novak has defended his father’s intentions, stating in 2023, “My father had no intention whatsoever to support any kind of war initiatives,” emphasizing their family’s opposition to violence after living through the Yugoslav Wars.
The current campaign against Srdjan comes at a delicate time. Novak, who opted out of the 2025 Cincinnati Open, is preparing for the U.S. Open, where he aims to add to his record 24 Grand Slam titles. His support for the protests, coupled with his global stature, has made him a powerful voice, drawing comparisons to cultural icons like filmmaker Emir Kusturica, who has also backed the demonstrators. For Vucic, whose grip on power relies on media control, the alignment of such figures with the protests threatens his narrative. “This is all against Novak,” a Belgrade supporter lamented, echoing the sentiment that the Djokovic family is being unfairly targeted.
As Serbia’s protests intensify, with students demanding democratic reforms, the attacks on Srdjan Djokovic reveal the lengths to which Vucic’s allies will go to silence dissent. For Novak, balancing his role as a global sports icon and a voice for change in his homeland is a tightrope walk. With the tennis world watching, the Djokovic family’s resilience will be tested, both on and off the court, as they navigate a storm that intertwines sport, politics, and national identity.
Leave a Reply