Novak Djokovic, criticized by Serbian media as a "fake patriot," recently said in an interview that he feels like a Greek.

Recently, Djokovic opened up about his contentious choice to move from Serbia to Greece, candidly expressing what it feels like to "become Greek." The tennis champion described how he has adjusted to the new surroundings and mentioned the single difficulty he continues to face.

For years, Djokovic has stood as one of Serbia’s most prominent sports icons. Last year, the 24-time Grand Slam winner publicly supported student protests against the president in his home country, then announced his move to Greece. This decision sparked widespread controversy, with local media labeling the 38-year-old player a "fake patriot" and "a disgrace to the nation."

In November last year, before the inaugural Greek ATP 250 tournament held in Athens, Djokovic gave an interview to Greek media saying that relocating to Greece with his family "was not a long-planned decision." He explained that over the past two years, his life had changed both "personally and professionally." The 24-time Grand Slam champion emphasized that he and his wife prioritized raising their children in the "most favorable environment for growth" and added that they felt "welcomed" in Greece.

On Thursday, Greece’s Minister of Migration and Asylum, Thanos Plevris, posted on X (formerly Twitter) that Djokovic "wants to stay in our country with his family," sharing a photo with the Serbian star. "We are very pleased to welcome this great athlete and outstanding person at the ministry. It is an honor for us that he wishes to remain here with his family," he said.

Recently, in an interview with ANT1, Djokovic mentioned he "feels like a Greek," but admitted that language remains a major challenge: "I feel Greek, but I still need to learn the Greek language. My current level isn’t good enough — it’s not easy."

Despite moving to Greece, Djokovic continues to represent Serbia in international tennis competitions. In 2025, his relocation decision stirred much discussion among fans. In a CNN interview, the 38-year-old player personally addressed these talks, stating that the deep historical, religious, social, and cultural ties between Serbia and Greece were key reasons for choosing to settle there.

Additionally, he is deeply attracted by Greece’s climate, cuisine, and famous coastline: "There are many historical, religious, social, and cultural connections between Greece and Serbia, which is an important reason why I came here. Also, the weather and food are amazing, and the coastline is one of the most beautiful in the world. I enjoy the lifestyle here and truly feel that Greeks and Serbs are like brothers. That is the most important reason."

Speaking about his initial experience living there, the former world number one added: "Our whole family is trying to embrace the pace and overall experience of life here. We’ve been here less than two months, but so far, it’s been a very positive experience."

On the court, Djokovic’s most recent appearance was at the Australian Open, where he performed well and reached the final of the season’s first Grand Slam, ultimately losing to Spanish star Alcaraz. The 38-year-old veteran plans to return to competition at the Qatar Open next.(Source: Tennis Home, Author: Spark)