The Djokovic Family Gives Up On Belgrade Open

Written by: Staff on 5th January 2013

The Djokovic Family Gives Up On Belgrade Open

epa03524834 Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns to Fernando Verdasco of Spain (not pictured) in their final singles match during the Hopman Cup tennis tournament between Spain and Serbia in Perth, Australia, 05 January 2013. EPA/TONY MCDONOUGH AUSTRALIA AND NEW ZEALAND OUT |

The Djokovic family has finally thrown in the towel on their Belgrade Open event after four fruitless years. A statement from the clan of the Serbian world No. 1 broke the news, calling the decision to end ATP 250 clay tournament “the most rational decision considering the circumstances.”

Despite the bags of Novak Djokovic money which was thrown at the tournament, economic conditions in Serbia were said to be a major factor in pulling the plug on the budget-buster.

“The Serbia Open tennis tournament in Belgrade will no longer feature on the ATP World Tour calendar following the decision by the organisers to cease the tournament’s operations,” the ATP said on its website.

A statement from Djokovic’s Family Sport defended the decision. “We are grateful for everyone’s contribution and help in running this event that brought a lot of international stars and attention to Serbia. Unfortunately, we will not be able to run the Belgrade tournament and have decided to cease the tournament’s operations from 2013.”

Djokovic won the 2009 inaugural event in front of a 7,000-strong crowd, but was found it inconvenient to play in succeeding years with the early May schedule of the small tournament conflicting with his preparation buildup for the French Open. The home hero withdrew ill in 2010 and won a second title a year later, his last appearance.

©Daily Tennis News Wire

Topics: ATP tennis news, Belgrade Open, djokovic, Novak Djokovic, Serbian tennis news, Sports, Tennis News