From Belgrade to Banjaluka to get new records

When some of the biggest tennis stars with Novak Đoković at the helm arrived to red clay courts in Dorćol back in 2009, no one could have predicted that a complex of tennis courts near the Danube River would become a tennis hub every spring since then.

The first Serbia Open’s winner was Novak Đoković who defeated Polish Lukasz Kubot (2:0) in the final. The year after that, in 2010, American Sam Querrey defeated his fellow American John Isner in the final, with 2:1 in sets, to win the singles tennis title at the 2010 Serbia Open. The World No. 1 victoriously returned to Belgrade in 2011 when he defeated Spaniard Feliciano Lopez with 2:0 in sets whereas in 2012, Italian Andreas Seppi claimed victory at the tournament after beating France’s Benoit Paire (2:0).

Tennis matches were played at the tennis courts of the TC Novak between 2013 and 2020 as well, although recreational. In 2021, Novak Đoković returned professional tennis to Serbia when Wimbledon finalist Italian Matteo Berrettini won the Serbia Open after beating Russia’s Aslan Karatsev with 2:0 in sets. Although the year itself was a difficult year for the entire planet, Serbia, Belgrade and Dorćol lived for tennis again. In addition to the ATP tournament, a WTA tournament in the World Tour 250 series was organised in Serbia for the first time as well. The winner of the WTA tournament was Spanish tennis player Paola Badosa.

However, nothing would be as perfect if it wasn’t for Novak Đoković. With his presence he managed to attract 59 fantastic tennis players to a tournament in the ATP World Tour 250 series “packed” in 54 matches.

Tennis-ATP Serbia Open 2022-SEMI FINAL-Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Karen Khachanov (RUS)
Beograd, 23.04.2022.
foto: Starsrport/Serbia OpenIn the year marked by all kinds of restrictions, 22,000 tickets were sold and more than 34,000 spectators visited the tennis complex near the Danube River.

However, last year was special, and emotional. After a pretty difficult start of 2022 for the best tennis player in the world and his return from Australia, there was no dilemma for Belgrade audience. They knew the winner even before the start of the Dorćol tournament – Novak Đoković.

Visitors had their say but he tennis court, however, is something else. In a very tough competition, the trophy went to Moscow from Dorćol when Andrey Rublev lifted the trophy after defeating Đoković with 2:1 in sets.

Tennis-ATP Serbia Open 2022-Final-Novak Djokovic (SRB) v Andrey Rublev (RUS)
Beograd, 24.04.2022.
foto: Starsrport/Serbia OpenThe Serbia Open wouldn’t be the tournament we have today if it wasn’t for its hard-working volunteers. In the last two years, the TC Novak welcomed more than 1,000 volunteers with almost 100,000 spectators who enjoyed 500 hours of world-class tennis.

This spring, the Serbia Open tournament is temporarily moving from Belgrade to Banjaluka but there is no doubt that this year’s numbers will only add to the remarkable statistics. From April 16-23, everyone will be there again: tennis players, volunteers, visitors, reporters, news photographers, cameramen etc. and they will be there to capture hours and hours of high-quality tennis.

See you in Banjaluka. Let’s break new records!!!