"Don't worry my brother, retaliation is coming" - Mural of Novak Djokovic vandalised in Belgrade amid ongoing tension with Serbian government

A mural of 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic has been defaced in the capital of Serbia, Belgrade, after he recently left his home country to start fresh in Athens, Greece.

The 38-year-old has been targeted my media outlets across Serbia who strongly stand with president Aleksandar Vucic. This is largely due to his support with students after protests arose due to 16 student deaths after a railway station canopy collapsed in Novi Sad. These protests were aimed directly at the president, with shouts or corruption within the government and political change being called for.

This obviously did not sit well with Vucic, who turned his anger towards Djokovic after he publicly supported the protests. "As someone who deeply believes in the power of youth and their desire for a better future, I believe it is important that their voices are heard," Djokovic wrote on social media. "Serbia has enormous potential, and its educated youth is its greatest strength. What we all need is understanding and respect. With you, Novak."

Once beloved by his country after giving them so much to cheer about, many have turned their backs on the tennis legend after he and his family relocated in Athens. There were certain people who would go and take the next step, defacing precious artwork of Djokovic in Belgrade. The mural pictured the seven-time Wimbledon champion in all-white playing his trade at the iconic SW19. Serbian street artist Andrej Josifovski was less than impressed after seeing his work covered up, standing with Djokovic while also saying that 'retaliation is coming.'

"Imagine that great patriot in an orange jacket and a cap, sneaking around at night, then stopping in front of Novak (YES, NOVAK!) - looking him in the eyes and throwing paint on his face and body," Josifovski wrote in Instagram. "That's the fine Serbian youth from the cage who just want to learn how to paint graffiti. We conquered the peak of the bottom long ago, but now we're heading into the stratosphere. Don't worry, my brother @djokernole, retaliation is coming - but without a mask, in broad daylight, the way we do it."

It is not just the Djokovic family which has escaped their homeland of Serbia, with the Belgrade Open now becoming the Athens Open. The Djokovic family owns a license in the 250 event which was first held in 2021. Naturally, Djokovic went on to win the title in Belgrade, defeating Alex Molcan 6-4, 6-3 in the final. The event was put on hold for two years before returning in 2024, where a different Serbian star reached the final in Djokovic's absence. Hamad Medjedovic carried the hopes of the host nation but ultimately succumbed to defeat at the last hurdle against former Wimbledon semi-finalist Denis Shapovalov, losing 6-4, 6-4.

With Djokovic moving abroad from Serbia, his event also follows him to Greece, with the Hellenic Championships set to make its debut in November, with Djokovic prepared to feature after announcing that he will miss the Paris Masters, also putting his ATP Finals inclusion still up in the air. After reaching four Grand Slam semi-finals in 2025, Djokovic became the third player behind Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner to qualify for the event, equalling Roger Federer's tally of 18.

It will yet to be seen whether he will get the support at these events from his Serbian fans, or the running tension between him and his home country will prolong. Vucic as attempted to cool the situation down, previously stating that the 38-year-old left due to political reasons, refusing to say a bad word about him.