Serbia, particularly the city of Belgrade, warmly welcomed its champions following the Paris Olympics, with a special tribute reserved for Novak Djokovic. The Serbian athlete added the coveted gold medal to his already impressive collection, and his emotional outburst at the end of the match, followed by a heartfelt embrace with his family, will forever be remembered as one of the most beautiful moments in tennis history.
In a speech to his adoring fans, Djokovic expressed his desire to participate in the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games, stating that representing Serbia at the Olympics brings him immense joy. He described it as the fulfillment of a childhood dream and acknowledged the enormous pressure he faced, having already achieved success in almost every other competition. Now, he feels a sense of fulfillment and completeness, and he called for a celebration in front of the 50,000 people who paid tribute to him at the Old Palace in Belgrade.
Djokovic’s triumphant return home was nothing short of golden. Meanwhile, he has made the decision to skip the Western & Southern Open in Cincinnati, opting to defend his title directly at the upcoming US Open, where he will strive to secure his 25th Grand Slam victory.
The Serbian government wasted no time in celebrating Djokovic’s Olympic gold medal and his other historic achievements. President Aleksandar Vucic announced plans for a dedicated structure in Belgrade that will honor and showcase Djokovic’s contributions, with hopes of attracting tourists. Vucic compared it to the Rafael Nadal museum in Mallorca and emphasized Djokovic’s superiority, particularly in terms of his record-breaking weeks as the world number one. The president anticipates that the structure will be open to the public by 2027.
Throughout his career, Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, has consistently shown his determination to represent his country and achieve significant milestones. The gold medal, which he pursued relentlessly and ultimately won in France, may be seen as his last real opportunity for such a triumph. In an Instagram post, Djokovic expressed his gratitude to the people of Serbia, emphasizing that the medal belongs to all of them and that representing their nation is the greatest honor in the world.
The day after his victory at the Paris Olympics, Djokovic made a touching gesture by dedicating an emotional post to his opponent, Carlos Alcaraz. The Serbian athlete displayed deep respect for Alcaraz and acknowledged his outstanding performance at the Olympics. Djokovic praised Alcaraz’s young age, energy, and playing style, suggesting that he has many more Olympic opportunities ahead of him and that a gold medal will eventually come his way. The post ended with Djokovic expressing his anticipation for their next encounter.
Photo from Novak Djokovic Instagram
