Novak Djokovic's silence draws criticism before Serbia vote

Novak Djokovic's prolonged public silence ahead of Serbia's elections on 21 October 2026 has prompted sharp disappointment among parts of the country's public, especially those who welcomed his earlier support for student protests.

Expectations and a public rebuke

Many Serbians had hoped that the country's most recognisable athlete would lend a decisive voice at a moment when voters are weighing the nation's future. Instead, Djokovic has largely withdrawn from public debate for months, a withdrawal that some activists and supporters interpret as a missed opportunity.

One message shared widely on social media captures the tone of that frustration. The message read:

"They called you an idiot. They called you a failed tennis player. They chased you out of Serbia. They did not want to read your name in the boy's letter, but replaced it with the name Jokic.

And what did you do? You pumped a little, then deflated. You sang the song 'This is my home, here I have lived' with some nostalgia.

And then, when we all expected you to deliver the finishing winner, you withdrew and you're nowhere to be found, friend. Or maybe now Mitsotakis is your concern?"

Supporters still hope Djokovic will speak in the coming days, but for now many say they must continue their campaign for change in Serbia without his active participation. Online reactions underline how sporting figures are often asked to play roles beyond their athletic achievements, and how silence in a polarized moment gains meaning.

Throughout his career Djokovic has been used to making split-second decisions under intense pressure on court. The line between a sportsman's private stance and the public's expectations, however, remains contested — and every forthcoming statement from him will be scrutinised.

Photo: ATP\/Tviter