The Belgrade Open, founded by Novak Đoković and long seen as a symbol of his commitment to Serbian tennis, will no longer be held in Belgrade. Instead, the ATP 250 tournament will take place in Athens from 2–8 November 2025, rebranded as the Hellenic Championship.
Đoković — whose family owns the tournament licence — has played a central role in elevating Serbia’s tennis profile, hosting nine international tournaments in Belgrade since 2021, including five ATP 250 events. His personal involvement made the Belgrade Open more than just a competition — it became a homecoming and a legacy project.
But this year, the tournament moves abroad. The Đoković family stated that “despite great dedication and efforts, the conditions for hosting the tournament in the planned format and timeframe could not be met.” The ATP has confirmed the relocation, with Athens stepping in as host and the OAKA Indoor Arena as the venue.
Unconfirmed reports suggest deeper undercurrents: tensions between Đoković and Serbian authorities after his support for student protests, as well as potential interest in Greek residency through a “golden visa” programme, may have influenced the decision.
The move marks a notable departure — not from the sport, where Đoković continues to dominate — but from the home-country base he helped build. Yet it also reinforces a truth already evident: Novak Đoković’s influence now extends beyond courts and countries.
Whether the tournament will return to Serbia remains unclear.
