August 4, 2019 – He is the Wimbledon champion and Serbia’s most famous sporting son. Novak Djokovic on why he supports Croatia.
He is a regular visitor to Croatia (a holiday on Korcula only last week), has added a Croatian tennis icon to his coaching team recently, and even voiced his support for the Croatian football team during the World Cup.
In the complicated relationship between Serbs and Croats, Novak Djokovic stands out – to this foreigner at least – as a little different. He is undeniably popular in Croatia despite his origins, and that popularity is clearly mutual as he is a regular visitor to Croatia.
Djokovic has received some criticism back home for his stance – understandably perhaps, given that the wounds of the war between the two countries are still fresh.
The tennis supremo was quoted about his feelings about Croatia in a recent article in Tennis World USA:
“I always try to be open, nice and well educated. I know that the consequences of war are fresh, I perfectly understand people who do not have the same attitude as me.
“Me and my family were not influenced by the war and I know you cannot forget, but at least you can forgive. And I try to show it through my actions. In Serbia, I was criticized for supporting the football Croatian team but I am not sorry about it.
“I do such things being aware. Because I know that with my influence, status and name, I can help to spread positive energy and support. After all, who can I support if not Croatia? I feel Croatians are dear ones for me. I know that it will bother someone, but I hope others respect my choices”, said Djokovic.
