Tennis icon Novak Djokovic faced some disapproval in Greece, his new residence, as he was booed during a basketball game. This incident highlighted a shift in his family’s relocation from Serbia to Greece over the summer, a surprising move for the proud Serb who was born and raised in Belgrade but opted for a new home base in Athens.
Apart from his exceptional tennis skills, Djokovic is known for his enthusiasm for various sports, including basketball. Despite his long-standing interest in basketball, his presence at a recent Euroleague match between Panathinaikos and Maccabi didn’t sit well with local fans. Panathinaikos, one of the Greek teams competing for a playoff spot, was pitted against Maccabi, an Israeli team struggling in the league standings.
During the game, Djokovic and his son, Stefan, were shown on the arena’s big screen, triggering boos from the audience, even though neither of Djokovic’s favored teams was playing. While it’s unclear how many of the approximately 18,500 spectators partook in the booing, it was noticeable enough for TV cameras to capture the moment.
Despite the negative reception, Djokovic seemed unfazed, engrossed in his phone during the screen appearance, while his son responded with a peace sign to the crowd. In a subsequent basketball event where Djokovic attended a game between Olympiacos and Monaco, he received a warmer reception with cheers from the crowd.
Following the Panathinaikos match, the team secured a victory over Maccabi, maintaining a close standing with Red Star, a Serbian club Djokovic ardently supports. However, Djokovic is unlikely to attend the upcoming match between Partizan and Olympiacos due to his participation in the ATP Finals in Turin, scheduled shortly after.
Despite retirement speculations, Djokovic remains a formidable contender in the ATP Finals lineup, set to compete against top players like Carlos Alcaraz, Jannik Sinner, Alexander Zverev, and Taylor Fritz. The anticipation is high for Djokovic’s performance at the tournament, where he is expected to receive a much warmer reception from the crowd.
In other news, Sky has reduced the price of its Essential TV and Sky Sports bundle ahead of the 2025/26 season, offering significant savings and an increased number of live matches across various leagues, including the Premier League and EFL. Sky’s coverage will include a minimum of 215 live Premier League matches next season, a substantial increase from previous seasons.
