Novak Djokovic

Following the deadly collapse of the Novi Sad railway station canopy and a wave of protests against corruption and demanding transparency, Djokovic repeatedly supports students: a dedication to an injured student, solidarity messages, a 'Students are champions' sweatshirt and further statements in 2025–2026. His position leads to attacks by pro-government media and a marked deterioration in his relationship with Aleksandar Vučić's camp.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility

Djokovic leaves the Professional Tennis Players Association, which he co-founded, stating that its direction no longer aligns with his values. He cites continuing concerns about transparency, governance and the use or representation of his voice and image.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Djokovic and Vasek Pospisil leave the ATP Player Council to establish the Professional Tennis Players Association, an independent organisation intended to increase players' collective power. Federer, Nadal, Murray and others express reservations about the risk of dividing tennis. A new conflict-of-interest rule subsequently prevents Djokovic from returning to the ATP council. In 2025, the PTPA launches a wide-ranging antitrust action against several tennis governing bodies.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Djokovic refuses the traditional on-court interview after his fourth-round match, explaining that he will boycott Channel Nine until presenter Tony Jones and the broadcaster apologise. Jones had chanted in front of Serbian supporters that Djokovic was 'overrated', 'a has-been' and should be 'kicked out', a sensitive reference to his 2022 deportation.

State of the evidence

Reported by the press

Attribution

Directly implicated

After defeating Holger Rune, Djokovic uses his on-court interview to thank respectful spectators before delivering a prolonged 'goooood night' to those he accuses of booing him under cover of 'Ruuune' chants. The interviewer suggests that the crowd was simply cheering his opponent, which Djokovic rejects.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

After Australia, Djokovic confirms that he would rather miss Grand Slam tournaments than receive a Covid vaccine against his wishes. His unvaccinated status prevents him from competing at the 2022 US Open and then Indian Wells and Miami in 2023, despite requests for exemptions. He can return to the United States after the federal vaccination requirement ends on 11 May 2023.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Srđan Djokovic is filmed with supporters displaying a Russian flag bearing Vladimir Putin's face; one of them wears the 'Z' symbol. Russian and Belarusian flags had been banned from the Australian Open grounds. Ukraine's ambassador calls for the player's father to be excluded from the tournament.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Indirectly implicated

Following his first-round match at Roland-Garros, Djokovic writes on a camera lens: 'Kosovo is the heart of Serbia. Stop the violence'. The message comes amid clashes in northern Kosovo; the Kosovo Olympic Committee calls for disciplinary action and the French Sports Minister considers the message inappropriate.

Attribution

Political responsibility

Djokovic reacts angrily to being notified of an anti-doping test approximately an hour and a half before his Davis Cup match, claiming never to have experienced the procedure and calling it illogical. Some publications subsequently claim that he 'refused' a test.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Djokovic posts a photograph of Serbian demonstrations against Rio Tinto's lithium mining project and writes that clean air, water and food are essential to health. His position increases the visibility of a movement blocking roads and bridges and challenging laws supported by Vučić's government.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Djokovic acknowledges that after learning on 17 December that a PCR test was positive, he went ahead the following day with an interview and photo shoot with L'Équipe, wearing a mask except during photographs. He subsequently describes this decision as an error of judgement.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Djokovic's entry declaration states that he had not travelled in the fourteen days before his flight to Australia, while evidence places him in Serbia and then Spain. He acknowledges that the box completed on the form was incorrect.

State of the evidence

Admitted by the person

Attribution

Personally implicated

Arriving unvaccinated with an exemption based on a recent infection, Djokovic has his visa cancelled at the border. A judge overturns the initial decision for procedural unfairness. Immigration Minister Alex Hawke subsequently exercises his personal power to cancel the visa again on health and good order grounds, in the public interest. The Full Federal Court unanimously dismisses Djokovic's appeal and he is deported before the Australian Open.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Protagonist is the complainant

Following Wimbledon's decision to exclude Russian and Belarusian players after the invasion of Ukraine, Djokovic describes the measure as 'crazy' and states that athletes are not responsible for the war. His reaction takes on strong political significance in the context of the invasion.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Djokovic makes several visits to Visoko in Bosnia and Herzegovina with Semir Osmanagić, promoter of the purported 'Bosnian pyramids'. He describes the site as 'paradise on earth', refers to its energetic and spiritual importance and encourages other athletes to visit. Archaeologists and geologists have long regarded claims of artificial pyramids and healing powers as pseudoscientific.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Djokovic writes to Australian Open director Craig Tiley suggesting adjustments for players in strict quarantine, including greater access to training and, according to reports, the possibility of private accommodation with courts. The letter triggers a strong backlash in Australia, where citizens remain subject to restrictions and some are stranded abroad.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During the bronze-medal match, Djokovic throws a racket into the empty stands and then smashes another against the net post, receiving a warning. Following his defeat, he withdraws from the mixed doubles bronze-medal match with Nina Stojanović, citing a shoulder injury and exhaustion.

Attribution

Directly implicated

During a stay in Bosnia and Herzegovina, Djokovic is photographed at a table with Milan Jolović, former commander of the Drina Wolves, a unit that took part in operations around the Srebrenica genocide. He is also seen with Bosnian Serb leader Milorad Dodik. The images provoke major regional controversy.

State of the evidence

Documented

Following Serbia's ATP Cup victory, Djokovic and his teammates are filmed singing 'Marš na Drinu' and 'Vidovdan', among other songs, the latter containing a reference to Kosovo. Kosovo's ambassador to Bulgaria sharply criticises Djokovic and describes the celebration as nationalist.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

At a time when no Covid vaccine was yet available, Djokovic says he is personally opposed to vaccination and does not want to be forced to receive a vaccine to travel and resume competing. The statement triggers considerable controversy given his global audience and discussions about health requirements for restarting sport.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

During a public online conversation, Djokovic claims to know people capable of making toxic food or polluted water more 'healing' through prayer, gratitude or 'energy transformation', and claims that water molecules respond to emotions. Scientific and medical commentators denounce these claims as dangerous and lacking any scientific basis.

State of the evidence

Allegations

Attribution

Personally implicated

Djokovic co-organises the Adria Tour in Serbia and Croatia while the pandemic remains active. Matches take place before spectators, and social activities are organised with little visible distancing. Several participants, including Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki, subsequently test positive, leading to the tour's suspension.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

After losing his serve, Djokovic strikes a ball behind him in frustration; it hits a line judge in the throat. The US Open referee immediately disqualifies him for hitting a ball dangerously or negligently under Grand Slam rules. He forfeits the ranking points and prize money earned in the tournament.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Under Djokovic's chairmanship of the Player Council, player representatives do not support renewing ATP executive chairman Chris Kermode's contract. The decision divides the tour; Federer and Nadal publicly regret the lack of explanation, and three council members subsequently resign amid a governance crisis.

State of the evidence

Documented

Justin Gimelstob, an associate of Djokovic and ATP board representative, resigns after entering a no-contest plea in an assault case. Djokovic considers his resignation sensible but simultaneously describes Gimelstob as one of the players' greatest assets, prompting criticism of the Player Council leadership's moral response.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

The prominence of spiritual adviser Pepe Imaz and Djokovic's interest in so-called holistic approaches attract criticism during his loss of form. His former coach Andre Agassi subsequently explains that their main disagreement notably concerned Djokovic's initial refusal to consider elbow surgery despite scans showing a persistent injury.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

Djokovic says men's tennis should 'fight for more' if data show that it attracts more spectators, amid debate over equal prize money. His remarks are widely interpreted as challenging equal pay and draw criticism from female players and former champions.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Personally implicated

In 2016, several outbursts of frustration by Djokovic raise safety concerns: a racket thrown into the stands in Rome, a racket nearly hitting a line judge at Roland-Garros, and a ball struck towards the stands at the London Masters that narrowly misses a spectator. He receives warnings and acknowledges being fortunate that nobody was hit.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

Srđan Djokovic, the player's father, publicly attacks Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the Serbian press, questioning their character and their relationship with his son. The statements provoke reactions on the tour and place Novak Djokovic in a controversy he did not initiate.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Indirectly implicated

Djokovic retires from his quarter-final against Andy Roddick in Melbourne during intense heat, having already withdrawn from several important matches early in his career. Roger Federer and other players publicly suggest that a champion should avoid retiring when conditions remain playable, contributing to his reputation for withdrawing readily.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Directly implicated

During the large demonstration organised in Belgrade following Kosovo's declaration of independence, Djokovic addresses the crowd remotely and declares that Kosovo is Serbia and must remain so. This position durably links his international image to the Serbian national position on Kosovo.

State of the evidence

Documented

Attribution

Political responsibility