Novak Djokovic once again had to face the brunt of COVID-19 sanctions and missed out on the Sunshine Doubles this year too. However, that has not stopped him from expanding the popularity of tennis. In yet again another move, $230 million worth Djokovic has helped in launching a new ATP 250 event showing that his love for tennis goes beyond collecting Grand Slam titles.
His astounding and relieving victory at the 2023 Australian Open has garnered a lot of attention. However, he has contributed to the sport once again to spread its popularity from his own end.
Novak Djokovic launches a new ATP 250 event in Bosnia
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The Serbian tennis legend has always tried to bring a good name to the sport. Hence, along with his popularity, he has contributed finances to expand ATP 250 events in the 2023 calendar.
One such new event is ATP 250 event, Srpska Open in Bosnia. The city of Banajulka now has a 6000-seat tennis area with a clay court. Djokovic is supposed to inaugurate the ATP event and will be its main player.
via Reuters Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – June 27, 2022 Serbia’a Novak Djokovic celebrates after winning his first round match against South Korea’s Kwon Soon-woo REUTERS/Paul Childs
The event will be played from April 17th to April 23rd. Moreover, this is not the only time Djokovic has made efforts to expand the popularity of the sport.
The Serbian Open tournament was also conducted by Djokovic at Novak Tennis Centre in Belgrade and the last two seasons have seen some prominent players in its draw. Tennis player Liam Broady has hailed his move of taking steps to popularise the sport.
He stated, “Let’s goooooo I can’t wait. Novak helping out again after the two 250’s and challengers he put on with money out of his own pocket in Belgrade during COVID. Unbelievable.”
But this year the venue is under renovation. The Serbian Open is aiming to become an ATP500 event. So, Srpska Open is launched to make up for the absence of the Serbian Open in Belgrade.
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The slandering of Djokovic’s image has not stopped him from contributing to tennis
Hence, the launch of the Srpska Open is a huge step toward expanding the popularity of the sport. Djokovic has focused on increasing the popularity of the sport irrespective of media slandering over his stance on COVID-19 vaccination or his participation in an Israeli tennis event.
The Serbian player stated he noticed how the media stood against him in 2022. However, he also mentioned that he expected a little from them.
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