"The Olympics and Grand Slams are his goals" - Djokovic's brother didn't want him to play Belgrade

Djordje Djokovic, tournament director of the Belgrade Open and younger sibling to Novak Djokovic, said he attempted to dissuade his brother from participating at Belgrade 2.

Although Djokovic has already played at one ATP event held in Belgrade earlier this year, the one-week delay to Roland Garros afforded the organizers an opportunity to hold another event. However, there were doubts whether the World No.1 would participate, as he tends to abstain from playing the week before a Grand Slam.

Nonetheless, Djokovic decided to play, even against advice from his brother, Djordje.

“I was the one who said he shouldn’t play,” Djordje Djokovic said. “He’s chasing records in Grand Slam titles. However, he was the one who resolutely wanted to play in Belgrade in this tournament."

Perhaps the Serbian needed to fine-tune aspects of his game, or perhaps he could not resist not playing in front of his home crowd again. Regardless, Djordje believes that Djokovic has his sights set on bigger prizes.

"The Olympic Games and the Grand Slams are his goals, but obviously Belgrade too,” added Djordje.

The French Open begins on May 30, 2021.