Should Indian athletes follow Novak Djokovic's stance on student protests? All you need to know
(Courtesy : @djokernole/Instagram)
Novak Djokovic’s decision to go against the Serbian government forced his family to relocate to Greece.
What sets Novak Djokovic apart from the rest of the sporting community is his ability to be honest and stand for what he believes is the truth.
He has often made bold calls, be it the vaccination controversy post-Covid-19 or the protests in Serbia, where he adopted a political stance against the government.
It all started in December 2024. Serbia was reeling from the Novi Sad railway station tragedy, where a collapsed canopy killed 15 people, and students had taken to the streets for weeks demanding someone be held accountable.
Novak Djokovic could easily have stayed quiet, as most in his position would. Instead, he issued a strong statement while in Melbourne, ahead of the Australian Open:
“My support goes to the young people, students and all those who own the future of our country. I can’t pretend that nothing is happening (in Serbia) and of course these things affect me.
Unfortunately, this is not the only situation of violence against students and young people. It is a great defeat for us as a society, for Serbian society in general. I would like my children to grow up in Serbia. I would like young people who went abroad to return to Serbia and live in Serbia.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion also showed up at a Belgrade basketball derby wearing a hoodie that read “Students are Champions.” By this small gesture, he announced his complete support for the youth of his country, who were demanding accountability and an end to corruption.
Djokovic’s stance made him realise the heavy price he was to pay for going against the government. Pro-government media in Serbia turned against him; they branded him a “fake patriot” and accused him of leading a foreign-backed uprising.
Reports even suggested the backlash was serious enough that Djokovic considered leaving the country altogether. That must have been a difficult decision to make for an athlete who appeared visibly emotional after winning his long-awaited gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Eventually, the tennis star, along with his wife and kids, reportedly relocated to Athens, Greece, due to severe domestic backlash and a relentless smear campaign by pro-government media outlets.
Djokovic’s inspirational resistance raises an uncomfortable comparison. India has had its share of protests over the years, and yet when it comes to its biggest sporting names, silence is usually the default.
Cricketers in particular are equivalent to the status of God in this nation, yet they rarely ever wade into anything remotely political.
The recent CJP-led student protests in Delhi and several other parts of the country highlighted how few prominent public figures openly voiced support for the students and their demands.
While the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Yuvraj Singh, and others did acknowledge the issue, their statements largely avoided taking a clear position. It reflects the broader tendency among Indian sportspersons, particularly cricketers, to remain cautious when commenting on politically sensitive matters.
What stance did Novak Djokovic take on the student protests in Serbia?
Djokovic openly supported the students demanding government accountability after the Novi Sad tragedy, wearing a “Students are Champions” hoodie and stating he couldn’t pretend nothing was happening.
How did the Serbian government and media react to Novak Djokovic’s support for the protests?
Pro-government media labelled him a “false patriot” and launched a severe smear campaign against him, which reportedly forced Djokovic and his family to relocate to Greece.
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Aniruddh Seshadri Iyer is a passionate sports journalist at Khel Now, specializing in tennis and Olympic sports. An engineer by training, he found his storytelling passion through iconic Grand Slam and Olympic moments. Known for sharp analysis and insightful coverage, he draws inspiration from Novak Djokovic’s resilience. Outside journalism, he enjoys reading, traveling, and playing the guitar.