On Friday the 13th, Novak Djokovic enjoyed a meal at the renowned seafood restaurant “Papadakis” in Kolonaki with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis. The following day, it was announced that the legendary tennis player is set to relocate to Greece.
While many topics were covered during their dinner, insiders indicate that their discussion extended beyond Djokovic’s upcoming move to Athens with his wife and children this September.
The Greek Prime Minister and the 24-time Grand Slam champion, who views Greece as akin to his beloved Serbia, shared insights on various subjects.
Djokovic’s strong connection to his homeland is well-known; both he and his wife Jelena have family ties there.
However, tensions with his former close friend, Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić, particularly following the Novi Sad railway station tragedy, have minimized his chances of returning to Serbia.
For over a year, the 38-year-old has been in search of a country to settle in with Jelena and their two children, Stefan and Tara. After initiating contact with the Greek government earlier this year, Djokovic swiftly indicated his preference for Greece as his family’s next home.
He has been exploring residences in both the northern and southern suburbs of Athens, aiming for a relocation by summer’s end. Reports suggest he and Jelena have already chosen a private school for their children.
Tennis, Economy, and the Golden Visa
On June 12, Djokovic and Jelena arrived in Athens to tour properties. Initially, they viewed villas in the northern suburbs, home to the well-regarded English-speaking school Saint Catherine’s.
The following day saw them exploring villas in the southern suburbs. A close friend of the tennis star revealed that while Jelena will make the final choice, the northern suburbs (Kifisia, Kefalari, Ekali) are likely favorites due to the school. In the event they opt for the southern suburbs, they will need to find another suitable English-speaking institution, as their children previously attended school in Marbella, Spain.
That evening, Djokovic met with the Greek Prime Minister at “Papadakis,” this time without their wives. Their conversation centered around tennis, as Mitsotakis is a fan and surely had much to discuss with the competitive athlete, who is even considering participating in the 2028 Olympic Games at the age of 41.
According to various reports, Djokovic plans to enroll in the Golden Visa program, which permits non-EU citizens to live in Greece for five years with the possibility of renewal. This topic was discussed alongside issues of geopolitics and the economy.
Close associates suggest Greece was Djokovic’s top choice for life post-tennis. Despite offers from Spain and the UAE, Greece’s cultural and emotional connections with Serbia swayed his decision.
Monaco, where he and Jelena lived from 2014 to 2020, was quickly ruled out, and interest in Qatar did not develop further.
Greece’s proximity to Serbia is another attractive factor for Djokovic, who owned a home in Belgrade. However, following the tragedy in Novi Sad in November 2024 and his disagreement with President Vučić, his return there is no longer possible.
The Rift with Vučić
In January 2022, during the COVID-19 pandemic, Djokovic arrived in Australia for the Australian Open, having made it clear to authorities that he was unvaccinated. Despite having received permission to compete, he faced an 11-day detention, sparking global controversy over the treatment of a top athlete with multiple records.
Vučić defended Djokovic during this turmoil, stating, “You tortured Djokovic for 11 days just to issue a decision you already knew from the first day.” The two men had previously shared a close friendship, but everything shifted after the Novi Sad railway incident.
On November 1st, the roof of the Novi Sad railway station collapsed, resulting in 15 fatalities, including a child. The subsequent public outrage saw two ministers resign, but the government’s response was heavily scrutinized.
Enemies at the Gates
As student protests grew, Vučić dismissed Prime Minister Miloš Vučević, while Djokovic shared a heartfelt post on X, urging the need for youth voices in Serbia. Media sympathetic to Vučić overlooked Djokovic’s messages, and edits were made to omit words like “understanding.” Since then, their friendship has deteriorated. In January, Djokovic attended a major sporting event wearing a sweatshirt with the slogan “Students are champions,” further enraging Vučić.
As protests continued, Djokovic uploaded a photo from a significant demonstration, captioned “Serbia… History… Magnificent!!“. Vučić’s media then labeled the protesters as “hooligans,” solidifying the rift between the two.
Despite the change in their relationship, Djokovic remains immensely popular in Serbia, and any criticism from Vučić’s media is handled with care. Whenever he is seen in Belgrade, he is met with admiration resembling that of a national hero.
Nonetheless, Djokovic has expressed no desire to engage in politics. His focus remains firmly on tennis, where he continues to excel, even as age advances.
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