SportsMissing Serbian flag on ATP site sparks uproar among Djokovic fans

Missing Serbian flag on ATP site sparks uproar among Djokovic fans

Novak Djoković during training on the court
Novak Djoković during training on the court
Images source: © Licensor | Christian Mesiano
Sebastian Szczytkowski

20 June 2024 17:26

The ATP website has launched a subpage dedicated to the upcoming Wimbledon. On Novak Djokovic’s profile, the Serbian flag was missing. When fans in the tennis player's homeland noticed this, they sparked an uproar online.

Novak Djokovic is Serbia's most popular athlete. His fame in his home country is unthreatened even during Euro 2024, when the national team participated. It's hard to imagine his compatriots' despair when the 37-year-old tennis player ends his professional career.

Novak Djokovic has won Wimbledon seven times. He first triumphed on the grass courts in London in 2011, and his most recent win was in 2022. Last season, Djokovic reached the final but was defeated by Carlos Alcaraz. Thus, he did not complete a Grand Slam.

Tennis players are preparing for this year's Wimbledon. The prestigious tournament will take place before the Olympic Games in Paris. The ATP website launched a subpage dedicated to Wimbledon. This occasion sparked a minor controversy.

The Serbian flag was missing on Novak Djokovic's profile. In the case of a player from Russia or Belarus, this would be justified since tennis players from those countries cannot represent their nations on the courts. For Serbia, there was no explanation other than negligence.

Novak Djokovic’s fans sparked an online uproar. They flooded ATP's inbox with complaints and actively responded on social media. The organization’s reaction was swift, and soon the flag appeared on the profile of the seven-time Wimbledon champion.

Serbian fans are wondering if he will play in this year’s Wimbledon. He has recently struggled with health issues and mentioned months ago that his target event this season is the Olympic Games in Paris. Switching quickly from grass to clay could negatively impact Djokovic’s health after Wimbledon.

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