From London to Munich: Novak Djokovic drops by Euro 2024 to support Serbia

With 24 Grand Slam titles to his name, Novak Djokovic is not just Serbia’s biggest superstar but also its most decorated global athlete. But all summer long, even world No. 2 has been just another other soccer fan supporting his national team at the 2024 UEFA European Championship.

Djokovic was Serbia’s biggest cheerleader during their group stage campaign, and he wasn’t going to let anything stop him from getting hype in person during a win-or-go-home group match—not even a little grass-court practice ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on July 1.

“That time of year,” Djokovic shared to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, on Tuesday. “Good to be back. Giving my best to be ready for Wimbledon.”

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Just hours after posting that encouraging training update from grass courts in London, the seven-time winner—who is still mulling his Wimbledon participation after undergoing surgery for a meniscus tear—was spotted in Munich taking in Serbia’s Group C match against Denmark.

The former world No. 1 even got to step onto the pitch at the Allianz Arena before the match, and greeted the Serbian players with a hug and a handshake as he wished them good luck:

Unfortunately for Serbia, even having their GOAT in the stands wasn’t enough to inspire them to victory as they were soon knocked out of Euro 2024. A goalless draw left Serbia at the bottom of its group, which saw England and Denmark scrape through to the knockout stage with a total of five draws and just one win between them.

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Djokovic, at least, seemed to be enjoying himself as he was spotted throughout the match cheering during crucial moments and snapping many, many selfies—and setting social media ablaze in the process:

“Djokovic motivating the Serbian national team players before their win-or-go-home Euro game… He’s just doing side quests now,” one user wrote on X, while another added, “Nole is everywhere!!!”

Other users applauded the gesture from Serbian sports ‘royalty’ to his countrymen: “Imagine what it must be like to be Serbian and to have Novak Djokovic himself come support you?” read one comment, as another user simply said: “Novak is Serbian royalty man. Icon. Incredible.”

When he returns to London, Djokovic will be facing a tough road back to fitness after undergoing surgery for a torn medial meniscus in his right knee on June 5. Djokovic, who was forced to withdraw from his French Open quarterfinal as a result of the injury, has been “taking things gradually” as he returned to action on the practice courts at Aorangi Park.

“The plan all along was to try to play Wimbledon so that's what I'm trying to do. That's why I came here earlier to see how it goes,” Djokovic told press on Monday.

“Many people think it's maybe not realistic or maybe not smart. But I wouldn't be here if I didn't get permission from the medical team. They are very happy with the way everything is going so I'm taking things gradually.”

“I'm not pushing myself yet 100 percent, but I'm hoping that's going to come within the next few days.”

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