Reason why Novak Djokovic has ditched £500k retirement plan as he returns in Shanghai

Novak Djokovic, the 24-time Grand Slam kingpin, is back with a vengeance at the Shanghai Masters this Friday, but the shadow of his reported fallout with the Serbian government hangs heavy over him. Nearly a month after his semi-final demolition by Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open - a 6-4, 7-6, 6-2 thrashing that left the 38-year-old Novak licking his wounds - the Serb has been mired in a storm of political mudslinging back home.

His vocal backing of student protests against President Aleksandar Vucic, sparked by a tragic incident that claimed 16 lives, has turned him from national hero to 'disgrace' in regime-friendly outlets. Claims of a smear campaign have seen Djokovic uproot his family and ditch long-cherished retirement dreams in his native Belgrade. Here, Express Sport explains the situation and the reasons behind all the drama.

'Targeted by Serbian government'

It was supposed to be Djokovic's golden era at home - fresh off an Olympic gold medal win in Paris last summer, with President Vucic himself announcing plans to build a Novak museum in Belgrade. But that hero's welcome curdled when Djokovic dared to stand with the protests demonstrating against the government following the Novi Sad canopy catastrophe that killed 16 people last year.

On social media, Djokovic wrote: "As someone who deeply believes in the power of young people and their desire for a better future, I consider it important that their voice is heard. Serbia has enormous potential, and educated youth is its greatest strength. What we all need is understanding and respect. With you, Novak." He even shared snaps of 300,000 marchers, captioning it, "History, amazing!"

Suddenly, the knives were out for the Serbian hero. Local tabloid Informer branded him a "disgrace". The publication also labelled him a "false patriot" for considering fleeing to Greece in response to the smear campaign that many believe has been spearheaded by the government.

German outlet Neue Zurcher Zeitung claimed that "regime-friendly media" had "set their sights" on the tennis titan. It was a brutal about-turn from the adulation that regularly saw crowds mobbing him like a rock star.

That said, Vucic himself has insisted there is no ill will toward Djokovic. He told Informer: "I will never say a bad word against him. He can support my opponents, but to say anything bad about him. I never will. It would be bad, stupid. We will defeat that policy in the elections, but I will always cheer for him with all my heart."

Retirement plans changed

According to Navak's father, Srdjan, the seven-time Wimbledon champion initially planned to settle down in Belgrade once the curtain eventually fell on his legendary tennis career, but those plans appear to have been kiboshed. Despite owning luxury properties in New York, Monaco and Mabella, Djokovic had set his post-tennis sights on a quiet life back in his home country.

In 2018, he bought a three-bedroom penthouse in Belgrade for a modest £505,000, overlooking the famous Danube River. He subsequently invested in modern upgrades to enhance the space in preparation for his retirement - and also bought a small villa roughly an hour's drive west of the city, situated on the banks of the picturesque Lake Pavlova. A little country escape.

It was the perfect setup, particularly with his parents close by, as well as the reknowned Restaurant Novak, an establishment launched by the family - filled with memorabilia from his stellar career, ranging from signed tennis balls to framed photographs and trophies - just a short distance away.

Also nearby is the Novak Tennis Centre, built in 2009, which includes 14 courts and serves as a popular destination for both local players and visiting enthusiasts. But his reported predicament with the Serbian government has left his Belgrade retirement dream in tatters.

Move to Greece and breaking silence

In response to the growing tension - and in a bid to shield his family from the storm - Djokovic relocated to Athens, Greece last month. The 24-time Grand Slam champion previously had multiple meetings with Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis, and over the summer was seen looking at houses, tennis clubs and schools for his children, 10-year-old Stefan and eight-year-old Tara, to attend.

According to Tennis24, Stefan and Tara have been enrolled in St. Lawrence College, a private and independent British school, while the family has found a place to live in the Southern Suburbs. A few weeks ago, Djokovic and Stefan were spotted publicly for the first time since the move, enjoying some live tennis in Athens, watching from the stands as Greece took on Brazil in the Davis Cup.

When asked by Greek outlet Tennisko Reketiranje about his new life, Djokovic requested privacy. "I'm with my son now, sorry," he said, before being whether his move to the Greek capital was a permanent one. "I don't know, I don't know," he replied. "I'm just enjoying my time with the family. I will be here for the tournament."

Return at the Shanghai Masters

Looking to put recent off-court turbulence behind him, Djokovic has travelled in China for the 2025 Shanghai Masters - a tournament he's won a record four times. The world No. 4 begins his campaign on Friday against Croatian veteran Marin Cilic, marking his first match since Flushing Meadows.

Djokovic heads into Shanghai after a rare empty year in the majors. For just the second time since 2010, he has failed to capture a Grand Slam title, leaving him hungry to build momentum ahead of the 2026 season.

Having secured Olympic gold in 2024, Djokovic's final career milestone remains clear: a 25th Grand Slam, which would move him past Margaret Court and cement his place as the most decorated player in tennis history. But the challenge has never been greater.

Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have split the last eight Slams between them, and with age increasingly a factor, Djokovic's window of opportunity is narrowing. His next chance comes at the Australian Open - a tournament he has astonishingly conquered 10 times.

A final surge would make for a remarkable script. But with off-court distractions swirling, time will tell whether Djokovic can once again silence the noise and let his tennis do all the talking.