Proof That Novak Djokovic Is A National Hero In Serbia [Video]

by Tom Gainey | March 5th, 2015, 9:43 am
  • 14 Comments

Serbia really loves Novak Djokovic. A day before the home team hosts Croatia in Kraljevo, World No. 1 Novak Djokovic held an open practice Wednesday, and the local turnout was very strong, and that’s an understatement, as thousands tried to fix into the tight 3000-seat arena.

“We are very excited to be here and the hospitality of the people here has been overwhelming,” Djokovic said.

“Our hearts are filled with joy after seeing people from all over the region queue up for tickets to see us in action. It’s not a big venue but we know that it will be jam-packed and able to generate a fantastic atmosphere.


“We decided to organise the tie in Kraljevo because this city deserves an event of this stature and it’s also a special experience for me because I have played a Davis Cup tie outside Belgrade only once in my life.”

Serbia is led by Djokovic, Viktor Troicki and Nenad Zimonjic. The visiting Croats are without Marin Cilic, but will look to rising star Borna Coric to carry the load.

“Borna has a massive potential to be a top player and is very mature for his age,” Djokovic said of Coric. “His approach and mental stability are uncharacteristic for someone so young and it will definitely help him in the future. He has a long way to go and a lot of hard work to do but the lad has the makings of a champion.”

Djokovic opens tomorrow against Mate Delic.

Serbia won the Davis Cup in 2010 and reached the finals in 2013 losing to the Czech Republic.


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14 Comments for Proof That Novak Djokovic Is A National Hero In Serbia [Video]

brando Says:

Agree with him ‘re Borna. Question to Serbs on here: how big is nemanja vidic in comparison to novak in Serbia? Is he big there also?


chris ford1 Says:

It bothered Djokovic that the connected Ruling Elites sucked up all the tickets but the 50 only for the local everyday Serbs that had thousands waiting in line since midnight to buy tickets.
So he denounced the Elites and said the whole point of the DC Team wanting to get out of Belgrade to show Serbs in other parts of their country great tennis was ruined if the “connected ones” got the tickets. And it was really wrong thousands of locals waited, not knowing they would get only 50 tickets out of 3,000.
So he said he and and maybe a few others on DC Team would have an open session for fans. And thousands in Kraljevo lined up to get tickets to see Novak’s open practice session.


SG1 Says:

It bothered Djokovic that the connected Ruling Elites sucked up all the tickets but the 50 only for the local everyday Serbs that had thousands waiting in line since midnight to buy tickets.

———————-

Seems Joe Average can’t catch a break anywhere. Take the family to a hockey game here in Canada and decent tickets will cost you a grand. Attending high sporting events is definitely not for the common man…woman anymore.


SG1 Says:

…high level sporting events….


jane Says:

here’s an article on the same topic; the photos are silly!

http://ftw.usatoday.com/2015/03/novak-djkovic-davis-cup-lines-serbia-practice-croatia-result

looking forward to seeing nole versus coric.

also looking forward to canada versus japan, in particular it’d be great to see kei and vasek play.


jane Says:

great britain vs usa could be interesting too.


Hippy Chick Says:

I dont think the Murray brothers would stand much of a chance against the Bryan brothers….


jane Says:

^ true: but if andy wins his 2 singles ties, they need just one more win, so you never know i guess?


Hippy Chick Says:

Also true,i suppose it depends on the opposition,but with the way Andys played of late im not counting on anything,however we will see….


Hippy Chick Says:

Nice scenes,and i think we can put to bed the notion that Novak aint popular….


RZ Says:

@Jane and Hippy Chick – right now the doubles looks to be Jamie Murray and Dom Inglot. It could be interesting, especially as Dom Inglot and his regular partner Florin Mergea have beaten the Bryans twice this season.


Hippy Chick Says:

RZ well you never know then i suppose,but put it this way my expectations are not that high when it comes to the Brits and tennis ATM….


RZ Says:

@HC – I’m shocked!!! :-) Seriously, I don’t blame you. I was lucky enough to watch days 1 and 2 of the US vs GB tie last year and wasn’t too impressed by Dom Inglot at the time. He played very nervously. Hopefully he’ll do better this time. But I suspect the Bryans would want to get revenge after two straight losses to him. My guess is that the tie will come down to the 5th match between James Ward and Donald Young. I predict that Young would win that, but Ward can pull off an upset every now and then.


Hippy Chick Says:

RZ im sorry to be negative,but when one of your favs is losing to all and sundry,and a gazillion RU trophies at the GS then it makes one a bit cynical….

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