By Richard Paglaro | @TennisNow | Wednesday, August 7, 2024
Photo credit: Rob Newell/CameraSport
In a powerful moment, Novak Djokovic dedicated his emotional Olympic gold-medal victory to the people of Serbia.
Now Serbia will honor Djokovic's distinguished career.
The Grand Slam king will soon receive a special honor in Serbia: A Novak Djokovic Museum in his native Belgrade.
More: Djokovic Completes Career Golden Slam
Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić announced plans to open a Novak Djokovioc Museum by 2027, Be in Belgrade Editor Marija Zivlak reports.
Novak Djokovic and Serbian President Aleksandar Vučić
The Novak Djokovic Museum is part of a planned renaissance to build six new museums in Belgrade to coincide witht the city's EXPO 2027. The plan aims to transform Belgrade's Sava Square Waterfront "into a vibrant museum quarter," Be in Belgrade's Marija Zivlak reports.
Pointing out King of Clay Rafa Nadal has a museum in his honor on the grounds of the Rafa Nadal Academy in Mallorca, the Serbian President said Djokovic deserves his own musuem too because "Djokovic is greater than him in tennis" and because Belgrade will benefit with an expected tourism boost.
“I believe we can complete it before the EXPO and offer it as an attraction for tourists,” said President Vučić. “Rafael Nadal has a museum in Palma de Mallorca, and Djokovic is greater than him in tennis.
"With this, we want to show how much we respect what he has accomplished, and also attract tourists.”
A national hero in his native Serbia, Djokovic completed the career Golden Grand Slam in his fifth Olympic appearance.
An emotional Djokovic dedicated his glorious Olympic gold-medal run, that saw him defeat both Nadal and reigning Roland Garros and Wimbledon winner Carlos Alcaraz, to his fellow Serbs "who have never given up on me."
"I could never give up on the dream of winning this gold medal, just as the people of Serbia have never given up on me," Djokovic said. "Together, we believed in the impossible. While I may be the one holding this medal, I want every Serbian to know that it belongs to all of us.
"Representing our nation is the greatest honor in the world. This medal, these moments, this life—none of it would have been possible without your unwavering support. This is because of you. This is for you."