World No.1 Novak Djokovic has spoken about organizing in a series of exhibition matches in cities of the former Yugoslavia.
The idea first came to light after a report in a Bosnian Newspaper which alleged that Djokovic was in the process of organising an exhibition event along with other players in the region. The Sarajevo Times reported that Bosnian player Damir Dzumhur has already spoken with the world No.1 about the idea.
“According to the latest information that I got from Nole, he really wants to come to Sarajevo and BiH. He hopes that by the end of this year or early next year, “ Dzumhur said last month.
Ubitennis.net asked the world No.1 for further details about this potential idea following his straight sets win over Milos Raonic at the Madrid Open. The Serbian spoke enthusiastically about the idea of hosting a series of exhibition matches, however, the event will not be happening this year.
“It definitely won’t be this year,” Djokovic said when asked about the possible date of the event.
“The plan is that I will talk to Marin Cilic (from Croatia) and Dzumhur (from Bosnia and Herzegovina).”
The former Yugoslavia used to consist of six Socialists Republics (SR). The country broke up during the early 1990s due to a series of political differences, wars and rivalries. The break-up eventually resulted in the creation of the countries Bosnia and Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Slovenia and Serbia.
Djokovic sees the future exhibition event as a celebration of sports in the former united country.
”We are trying to arrange something that can be any event of celebrating sports and celebrating all the countries in the region that were once one country.” Djokovic said.
The 11-time grand slam champion has a strong relationship with other players on the tour from his region. Shortly after Dzumhur’s win over Rafael Nadal at the Miami Open, Djokovic spoke with the Bosnian and told him ‘to be proud’ of himself.
The purposed exhibition isn’t the first time that Djokovic has supported the former Yugoslavian nations. In 2014 he donated all of his Rome Masters prize money ($500,000) to charity in the wake of severe flooding that disrupted the region. His own charity also raised a further $600,000.
