Tennis icon Novak Djokovic faced a mixed reception during a recent basketball match in Greece, his new residence. Despite being a proud Serbian, Djokovic relocated his family to Athens earlier this year. Known for his exceptional tennis prowess, Djokovic is also an avid basketball enthusiast, often seen supporting Serbian teams such as Red Star and Partizan.
During a recent Euroleague game between Panathinaikos and Maccabi, Djokovic’s presence at the arena garnered attention. Despite neither of his preferred teams playing, the crowd reacted with boos upon seeing him on the big screen. The jeering, though not indicative of the entire audience, was noticeable enough to be captured by TV cameras.
While Djokovic seemed unfazed by the reaction and remained engrossed in his phone, his son Stefan acknowledged the crowd by flashing a peace sign. The following day, Djokovic attended another basketball match at the Peace and Friendship Stadium, where he received a warmer welcome as the crowd cheered for him.
Panathinaikos emerged victorious against Maccabi in the Euroleague match, positioning them closely behind Djokovic’s beloved Red Star. Djokovic, however, is unlikely to attend the upcoming game between Partizan and Olympiacos due to his participation in the ATP Finals in Turin, where he will compete against top players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz.
Despite concerns over his form and fitness, Djokovic secured a spot in the tournament last month and is expected to receive a much more positive reception from the crowd in Turin. Meanwhile, Sky has announced a significant reduction in the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle for the upcoming season, offering over 1,400 live matches across various sports leagues, including the Premier League and Formula 1.