Novak Djokovic had the opportunity to play in the Davis Cup this week but decided against it.
After Djokovic lost to Carlos Alcaraz in the US Open semifinals, the Serb could have joined up with his teammates for their World Group I tie against Turkey.
With the 24-time Grand Slam champion choosing to rest instead, Serbian captain Viktor Troicki had this to say during his press conference.
Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images
“Novak [Djokovic], who played in the semi-finals of the US Open, is not with us; a place is reserved for him in the team whenever he is available,” he said.
He won’t be watching Serbia play in Belgrade, but he could still be in attendance for another Davis Cup tie this week…
Greek Tennis Federation invite Novak Djokovic to watch their match with Brazil
Earlier this week, news broke that Djokovic had moved his family to Greece, renting a house in Glyfada, Athens.
The 38-year-old will play the Athens Open later this year, an event which took the Belgrade Open’s place in the calendar.
As Djokovic’s ties with Greece strengthen, SDNA have reported that the Greek Tennis Federation have invited him to watch their Davis Cup match with Brazil this weekend.
“The legendary Serb is currently in Athens and the EFOA [Hellenic Tennis Federation] invited him to see the Greek team’s effort up close at the renovated OAKA [Olympic Athletic Centre of Athens],” they said.
Photo by CHARLY TRIBALLEAU/AFP via Getty Images
Sitting 19 places below Brazil in the Davis Cup rankings, Greece will begin the tie as underdogs on Sunday, September 14.
Brazil’s Davis Cup team (#19) vs Greece
- Jaime Oncins (captain)
- Joao Fonseca
- Thiago Seyboth Wild
- Matheus Pucinelli De Almeida
- Rafael Matos
- Marcelo Melo
Greece’s Davis Cup team (#38) vs Brazil
- Apostolos Tsitsipas (captain)
- Stefanos Tsitsipas
- Stefanos Sakellaridis
- Aristotelis Thanos
- Ioannis Xilas
- Petros Tsitsipas
The big match everyone’s hoping to see is, of course, Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Joao Fonseca, a match between a former two-time Grand Slam finalist and one of the stars of the future.
It is, however, unclear whether Tsitsipas will be fit to compete, as he continues to struggle with injury.
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious, but it will certainly be interesting to see if a certain Serbian star chooses to attend…
Why might Novak Djokovic ignore the invitation?
Choosing to watch another country play in a competition you declined to participate in may not go down too well with the Serbian fans.
Especially considering Serbia and Greece are rivals in the Davis Cup World Group I.
Davis Cup World Group I ties (September 12-14, 2025)
Upcoming World Group I ties
The victors of these ties will play the qualifying round in 2026, with the winners advancing to the Davis Cup Finals in November.
Serbia have been a successful Davis Cup side over the years since Djokovic burst onto the scene, picking up their maiden title in 2010.
Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images
They qualified for another final three years later, but fell short, losing 3-2 to the Czech Republic.
The nation reached the semifinals of the Davis Cup just two years ago, before their form took a turn.
Losing to Slovakia in 2024 and Denmark earlier this year, Serbia now find themselves out of contention for the Davis Cup Finals.
They’ll be hoping to see Djokovic return to the fold before too long, in a bid to see them challenge for a second Davis Cup title.
Seeing him courtside in Athens won’t do morale much good, as the likes of Miomir Kecmanovic and Hamad Medjedovic fight for their country’s place in the 2026 qualifiers.
Serbia will begin their World Group I tie with Turkey on Saturday, September 13, before Greece begin their match with Brazil on Sunday, September 14.