Novak Djokovic’s new life in Greece takes bad turn as he’s booed alongside his son
Novak Djokovic and his family are setting roots down in Greece after moving from Serbia in the summer, but his reception was anything but warm during a recent public appearance
Tennis legend Novak Djokovic isn't as universally loved in Greece as he might be elsewhere. This was evident when he was booed at a basketball match in his new home country.
Over the summer, fans were alerted to the fact 'Nole' was relocating his family to Greece. The 38-year-old is a proud Serb, born and bred in Belgrade, but made the unexpected decision to set up a new base in Athens.
Besides being arguably the greatest tennis player of all time, Djokovic is a passionate sports fan with a particular interest in basketball. This isn't a recent development, with the superstar often spotted at games featuring Serbian clubs Red Star or Partizan.
However, local supporters didn't let this go unnoticed when they saw Djokovic at a recent Euroleague game between Panathinaikos and Maccabi. Panathinaikos are one of two Greek teams currently vying for a spot in the play-offs, while Israeli team Maccabi are languishing near the bottom of the table.
Interestingly, Panathinaikos are also one position below Djokovic's beloved Red Star in the rankings. This rivalry was on full display when Nole and his son, Stefan, appeared on the big screen this week.
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It's difficult to determine how many of the 18,500 or so fans in attendance participated in the booing. However, it was certainly loud enough for TV cameras to capture as he revelled in some sport in his new home.
Despite the jeering, Djokovic seemed oblivious and continued to focus on his phone during his Jumbotron appearance. His son Stefan, however, was fully aware and flashed a peace sign at the crowd after seeing himself on the big screen.
Just a day after the Panathinaikos match, Djokovic returned to the basketball court and received a much warmer welcome. He watched Olympiacos lose to French team Monaco at the Peace and Friendship Stadium on Wednesday, where this time, the crowd cheered his presence.
Panathinaikos went on to defeat Maccabi 99-85 in their Euroleague match, keeping them hot on the heels of Red Star. Serbian side Partizan is set to visit Olympiacos next week (Nov. 7), but it's highly unlikely Djokovic will be there.
This is because the match is scheduled just two days before the ATP Finals kick off in Turin. Djokovic, who is being touted for retirement in the not-too-distant future, qualified for the tournament last month despite concerns over his form and injury fitness.
He's set to take on Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz in a star-studded line-up for the ATP title. And it's almost certain the crowd in Turin will give him a much friendlier reception.
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