Journalist dubs Djokovic as 'messianic figure' in Serbia: "It all becomes very, very fraught and very charged"

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg isn't a fan of the rise of nationalism in tennis for which he cites Djokovic as the clearest example thinking it's a net negative.

Rothenberg expressed his views on his podcast in a talk with fellow reporter Tumaini Cayarol. The American observed the way Djokovic's image has been absorbed as an integral part of Serbian nationalism with the atmosphere of his matches becoming very charged. He doesn't think it's anything positive:

“The sort of increasing wrapping up these tennis players in nationalism – it’s obviously really strong with Djokovic. I mean Djokovic is tied to Serbian identity and Serbian national pride in this way that I don’t think any tennis player has ever been tied to their country before. You know downright messianic figure almost in Serbia, who’s come to redeem Serbia and bring them out of this dark time they’ve had, into the light, being this great champion and the greatest of all time in the sport."

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He continued:

“It’s just a lot. It all becomes very, very fraught and very charged. I feel like it’s worth bringing down the temperature, however possible, for the sport. I almost wonder, looking at what they’ve done with Sabalenka, and the other Belarussians and Russians - taking away the flags, can we just take away all flags? I think that’s a doable option."

Rothenberg's point clearly explained with the example of the Russia - Ukraine War:

“They keep trying to foreground nationalities with all these team events like United Cup. During wartime, like we are in wartime right now, meaningfully with the Russians and Ukraine, it just feels like a big net negative and I just wish there was a way to sort of make all the players independent.”

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