Today in New Belgrade, a newly renovated tennis court was officially opened – a place that symbolically and emotionally connects the past, present, and future of one of the greatest tennis players of all time. Fully refurbished and uniquely designed, the court celebrates the extraordinary career of Novak Djokovic and becomes a new meeting point for sports, education, and the dreams of future generations.
The project was implemented through a collaboration between the Novak Djokovic Foundation, the Lacoste brand, and the organization We Are Etendart. Its aim is to provide easier access to tennis for young people in Serbia and to encourage them to develop perseverance, self-confidence, and team spirit through sports. The court will be operated by the Novak Djokovic Foundation as part of its educational program, which uses sports as a tool for learning, empowerment, and child development.
It was on this very court that Novak, as a boy, first held a racket and competed in junior tournaments. Today, as the greatest tennis player of all time, a 24-time Grand Slam champion, and one of the greatest athletes in history, he returned to this same place to open it for children who are just beginning to dream.
The opening of the court in Belgrade is part of a global initiative launched by Lacoste and We Are Etendart in 2020. Similar projects have been completed in Clichy (France), New York, São Paulo, Troyes, and Grasse. Belgrade, as Novak’s hometown, was a natural choice for the next step – a place that represents the beginning of an extraordinary sporting journey, but also the power of a community to believe in its children and give them a chance.
“Today, I stand here with a heart full of emotion and gratitude. This is the court where I played many tournaments in my junior days, as did my two younger brothers. We are emotionally and fatefully connected to this very spot. I’m happy that – together with Lacoste and the Novak Djokovic Foundation team – we also equipped basketball and volleyball courts in addition to the tennis court. So, children from this neighbourhood, as well as from all over Belgrade and Serbia, will be able to use these courts whenever they wish. The place we stand on is not just made of concrete and net – it is a place where I, as a boy, learned how to dream. And my wish is for this to be a space where children feel safe and free to dream big dreams,” said Novak at the opening.
The court will be open to schoolchildren, young athletes, and participants in the Novak Djokovic Foundation’s educational programs, which include sports, creative, and cultural activities. With this, the Foundation continues its mission of creating equal opportunities for every child, from the earliest age, regardless of their social or geographic background.
“I want to thank my sponsor Lacoste for being part of this wonderful project, which I hope is just the first of many planned across Serbia. This court is not just a gift for children, but for the future itself. Because when a child starts believing in themselves, the whole world changes. And I, along with the entire Novak Djokovic Foundation, believe in their dreams,” Novak concluded.
Foto: Dalibor Danilović
