Australian Open: Srdjan Djokovic, Novak’s bulky and noisy father

In search of the audience’s constant love, Novak Djokovic can also feed on the hostility of the stadium to better digest his opponents. If he is unlikely to raise his son’s popularity rating, then Srdjan Djokovic, on the contrary, is more likely to ignite the fire of criticism around Djoko. Thus, this Wednesday, the father was filmed in the company of supporters waving pro-Russian flags, including the face of Vladimir Putin.

The Australian Federation has indicated that it does not tolerate the placement of Russian banners in Melbourne Park. This did not prevent Srjan from coming out with full conviction with the slogan “Long live Russia”, according to The Age. This was enough to cause controversy. Huge Australian Open favorite Novak Djokovic will not approach his semi-final against American Tommy Paul this Friday with all calmness. Dad is to blame.

The Serbian champion, however, is used to ringing in his ears between his father’s outings and the reaction they elicit. Angry and boisterous, Srdjan has regularly targeted Roger Federer or Rafael Nadal. Thus, during the semi-finals of the tournament in Hamburg in 2008, he ended up in the booth of a Serbian commentator on the grounds that the journalist was “obsessed with Nadal” and did not defend “Djoko” enough.

“My father is a very passionate man”

The bulky father also suggested to “Roger” that he remove his bandage two and a half years before the Swiss announced his resignation. “Go home, raise your kids, ski, do something,” he burped during a broadcast on Serbian television. Federer is a big competitor for my son, but he is not good enough to compare him to Novak. “A year later, the Serb also assured that the newly minted pensioner was “not a good person”, forcing his son to receive liters of disputes without criticizing the words of the pope.

“My father is a very, very passionate man. He protects me and loves me, Djokovic justified himself on the sidelines of the tournament in Monte Carlo. I always support my father and everything he does. We are Family. Of course, I will stay by his side and protect him. Everyone has the right to say what they think, although I can’t always agree with everything they say. »

Being small, “Nole” has to cope with the pressure of the family circle. Growing up in a small Kosovo village, Srjan was a ski instructor and restaurant manager in the resort of Kopaonik when his offspring discovered the joy of snowshoeing. Warned by Novak’s first coach, Jelena Gencic, of his son’s talent, the restaurateur will push his child even higher, even if it means neglecting the rest of the siblings. “Unfortunately for the whole family, Marco and George didn’t get even 1% of the enthusiasm I had for him. It took all my energy,” he admitted, according to comments posted by Command.

Obviously, he has enough left to demand the maximum from Novak. The Djokovic family bet a lot of money on the former world number one to take him to the top. Once at the top, “Jocko” had to drag divisive star status with him, dragging along with him the incessant buzz. made in Srjan.

He compares Novak to Jesus and Spartacus.

Stripped of the Australian Open and the US Open in 2022, Novak Djokovic has had his busiest season yet, preceded by a vaccination denial and strange positive tests. Before the waves that the two-time winner of Roland-Garros faced, the Djokovic family stood like a breakwater. Srjan elevated his offspring to the rank of martyrs, while he was banned from entering Australia. “Jesus was crucified on the cross, and everything was done with him,” he says. But he is still alive among us. Now Novak is being crucified, everything is being done to him,” he chanted at a rally in front of the National Assembly in Belgrade.

Before being expelled from Oceania, the Serbian champion was released from custody. The cancellation of his visa was temporarily cancelled. The news was celebrated with a press conference organized by Novak’s parents and brother in Serbia. Exhibition of tennis trophies, patriotic song, Srdjan, Diana and Djordje provide the show. The father seasons everything: “Today he may be thrown into prison, tomorrow he may be put in chains. Novak is the Spartacus of the new world that will not tolerate injustice, colonialism and hypocrisy. »

They will be much less talkative when journalists talk about Novak’s postings allegedly positive for Covid in December 2021. The brother signals the end of the press conference. Father, he never brought his son to the “leader of the free world, countries and oppressed peoples” as opposed to “the powerful of this world.”

“Novak is the best player in the world, but several hundred million people in the West can’t stand him,” Srjan was surprised a year ago. If so, then it is not in vain.