For years, Novak Djokovic has been celebrated as Serbia’s greatest sporting icon – a national hero who carried the country’s flag to glory with every Grand Slam victory.
But now, the same walls that once bore his image as a symbol of national pride have turned against him.
A mural of Djokovic in Belgrade was recently defaced – painted over in black – after the tennis legend moved base to Greece with his family. The act of vandalism was revealed on social media by the mural’s creator, artist Andrej Josifovski, known professionally as “The Pianist.”
Djokovic has been seen multiple times in Athens, Greece, recently, attending events with his family – including a Davis Cup match in the city. Reports suggest that Serbia’s most popular athlete decided to relocate to Greece following a smear campaign by the national media, allegedly triggered by his support for protests against President Aleksandar Vucic and his government.
The 38-year-old had earlier expressed solidarity with protestors after the collapse of a railway station roof in Novi Sad last November, which killed 16 people. According to reports, Djokovic’s children are now enrolled at St. Lawrence College, a private British school in Athens.
There is growing speculation that the defacement of the mural may be politically motivated, possibly carried out by supporters of President Vucic, as a response to Djokovic’s recent decisions.
Relationship sours
The artist, Andrej Josifovski, who originally painted the mural, shared images of the damage on social media, condemning the act. The artwork had depicted Djokovic performing his iconic “Pump It Up” gesture from Wimbledon 2025 – a moment many interpreted as a message of support for the Serbian protestors.
“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 on 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.”