Emotional Novak Djokovic: I Can’t Remember the Last Time I Took a Stroll in My Belgrade

Novak Djokovic is a highly decorated athlete and a beloved figure in the public eye. He sees it as a great honor to be viewed by people in this way, and he feels privileged to represent his country and his people in one of the most popular sports in the world. Throughout his career, he has made an effort to present Serbia in a positive light, showcasing their traditions, culture, language, and customs. He feels fortunate to have the trust and support of his people and is grateful for that. Djokovic has utilized his position in sport and his humanitarian work through the Novak Djokovic Foundation, which he runs together with his wife and family. Their main focus is to raise awareness about early childhood development, a cause they have been committed to for the past fifteen years. They aim to provide access to preschool education for as many children as possible and to encourage people to prioritize this issue. Djokovic acknowledges that in Serbia, there may not be a strong awareness of the importance of constructive work with children at that age.

Djokovic does not necessarily feel a burden of responsibility due to his public image and status, except when he longs for normal moments in life, such as walking in his own city. He mentions that these ordinary moments, like watching the sunset from the Kalemegdan Fortress next to the “Pobednik” statue, are something he misses and currently cannot experience due to the nature of his work and the accompanying recognition. On the other hand, he acknowledges the advantages he has and tries to use them for the greater good. Serbia has gone through challenging times in the past few decades, such as wars and sanctions. The country is still recovering from these experiences. Djokovic hopes for better times for society, although he senses that people are not overly satisfied with the current state of affairs, which concerns him. He observes that young people are leaving the country, and emphasizes that they are the future of any nation. Djokovic sees it as his duty to contribute in any way he can through his areas of influence, aiming to be someone whom people can rely on to promote the right values and principles that he grew up with.