Novak Djokovic Leaves Serbia for Greece: The Full Story Behind the Move

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam champion and Serbia's most celebrated athlete, has quietly relocated his family from Belgrade to Athens in a move that has transformed him from a national icon to a target of state-backed media vitriol amid escalating political tensions over his vocal support for anti-government student protests. The 38-year-old, his wife Jelena, and their two children—11-year-old Stefan and 8-year-old Tara—settled in the upscale coastal suburb of Glyfada in September 2025, shortly after the US Open, with the children enrolled at the British-curriculum St Lawrence College, which boasts on-site tennis courts. Djokovic has described the shift as a "new chapter" driven by lifestyle appeal and deep historical ties between Serbia and Greece, but reports and comments from peers like former world No. 1 Andy Roddick point to a darker catalyst: a smear campaign orchestrated by pro-government outlets, branding him a "false patriot" and "disgrace" for challenging President Aleksandar Vucic's regime. This exile-like transition, first hinted at in August when Djokovic's family-owned Belgrade Open ATP 250 event was abruptly shifted to Athens and rebranded the Hellenic Championship, underscores a profound rift in the once-unbreakable bond between the tennis star and his homeland.

The unravelling began in late 2024, mere months after Djokovic's triumphant return from the Paris Olympics, where he clinched gold in men's singles—his first—prompting Vučić to hail him as "the greatest ambassador of Serbia" and pledge a dedicated museum in Belgrade. Yet, by early 2025, Djokovic's subtle endorsements of nationwide student-led demonstrations against corruption, electoral fraud, and Vucic's Serbian Progressive Party drew swift backlash. Initially low-key—a supportive X post declaring, "Serbia has enormous potential, and its educated youth is its greatest strength. What we all need is understanding and respect. With you, Novak"—his stance escalated: he donned a "Students are champions" hoodie at a basketball game, shared images of massive anti-government rallies on Instagram, and dedicated an Australian Open win to injured protester Sonja by scrawling "For Sonja" on a camera lens. These acts, in a nation where Djokovic's 2021 Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade symbolises national pride, positioned him as a reluctant dissident, prompting regime-aligned tabloids to accuse him of betrayal and question his loyalty. Vucic, aware of Djokovic's unparalleled popularity, has remained publicly measured, but the orchestrated media assault—echoing attacks on other critics—escalated post-relocation, with outlets decrying his Greek "lifestyle" as desertion.

Publicly, Djokovic has framed the move as a personal evolution, emphasising Greece's allure in a November 2025 CNN Greece interview: "There are a lot of historical, religious, cultural, and social ties between Greece and Serbia that are a big part of the reason why I’m here... the weather and the food are incredible, and you are on one of the nicest coastlines in Europe, in the world. I just love the lifestyle, and I really feel that the Greek and Serbian people are like brothers." He noted the decision "wasn’t something I had planned for a long time," evolving from private and professional shifts over two years, including plans for a tennis academy in Athens and training at local clubs like Kavouri and Tatoi. The family has embraced the change, with Djokovic applying for a Greek Golden Visa through property investment and his children adapting to the international school environment. Professionally, the Hellenic Championship—now a fixture on the ATP calendar—serves as a home-soil proxy, where he recently addressed crowds in halting Greek, earning cheers with "Good evening, Greece... With you, Novak." Yet, Roddick, on his "Served" podcast, lauded the "uprooting" as a testament to Djokovic's "belief system", calling it "sad and unfortunate" that conviction forced such a drastic step, while respecting his unyielding integrity.

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This saga mirrors Djokovic's history of principled stands—his 2022 Australian Open deportation over COVID-19 vaccine refusal or 2023 French Open messages urging Kosovo-Serbia dialogue—often at personal cost, yet amplifying his global stature. In Serbia, where he has invested millions in academies and foundations, the fallout risks alienating a core support base, though fans remain divided: some view him as a traitor, others as a silenced hero. As protests persist, demanding new elections and transparency in tragedies like the Novi Sad rail disaster, Djokovic's Greek haven offers respite, but whispers of a potential return hinge on political winds. For now, the man who dominated 2025 with a record 25th major at Wimbledon navigates exile with quiet resolve, his racket still swinging, but his heart fractured by homeland discord.

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