Serbian President Aleksandar Vucic has revealed he had some blunt words for tennis icon Novak Djokovic. The controversial statesman has broken his silence on Djokovic after the 24-time Grand Slam winner departed Serbia with his family.

Djokovic, his wife, Jelena, and their two children, Stefan and Tara, now live in Athens, Greece, after choosing to leave Belgrade last year. It has been suggested that the upheaval is due to a ‘smear’ campaign against him by pro-Vucic national media.

The Australian Open runner-up, 38, has previously lent support to youth-led anti-government protests. “As someone who deeply believes in the power of young people and their desire for a better future, I consider it important that their voice is heard,” Djokovic wrote on X in March 2025.

“Serbia has enormous potential, and educated youth is its greatest strength. What we all need is understanding and respect. With you, Novak.”

Speaking to TV Pink, as quoted by Sport Klub, Vucic revealed that he would not be cowed by Djokovic’s views and that he had a firm message for the Serbian sports hero.

“I told him what I thought, now I would say it in a harsher way, not towards him, but towards the situation we were in,” Vucic said.

“I will not change my beliefs under the influence of any sports, acting or entertainment star.”

Ensure our latest sport headlines always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activateor add us as Preferred Source in your Google search settings

However, Vucic did praise Djokovic’s performance at the Australian Open earlier this year and hopes the veteran can continue to find more success. “I wholeheartedly support Djokovic and all the people who wear the Serbian tricolour, and [I am] looking forward to his success,” Vucic said.

“[He showed] something incredible in those years [in his win against Jannik Sinner]. [He is] the greatest of this time in a difficult and demanding sport.

“It is much more than a congratulatory message, he represents his country with dignity and makes it popular. Regardless of the result of the final, I support him.”

Djokovic spoke of his family’s move to Athens, to CNN Greece in October. He said: “We are, as a family, trying to see how the life goes here, the experience. It’s only been less than two months. So we will see how it goes, but so far, as I said, it’s been a very positive experience.”