“Djokovic is from Montenegro” – Pope Leo corrected the president of Montenegro about Novak Djokovic’s nationality

By
Alex Boyden
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Pope Djokovic Montenegro

Key Takeaways

  • Montenegrin president Jakov Milatović presented Pope Leo with a tennis racket and claimed Novak Djokovic was from Montenegro.
  • Pope Leo immediately corrected the visiting head of state, stating, “He’s Serbian.”
  • The pontiff is an active tennis player who plays weekly in Rome and previously met with Italian star Jannik Sinner.

A diplomatic tennis debate at the Vatican

An official audience at the Apostolic Palace took an unexpected sporting turn when the president of Montenegro, Jakov Milatović, presented Pope Leo with a tennis racket. While handing over the gift, the visiting head of state attempted to claim one of tennis’s greatest champions as his own, telling the pontiff, “Novak Djokovic is from Montenegro.”

The Pope quickly intervened to set the record straight, replying, “He’s Serbian.” When a flustered Milatović countered that the tennis star remains fond of Montenegro, the pontiff simply offered a brief acknowledgment before setting the racket down on the table.

A pontiff with genuine tennis knowledge

While Serbia and Montenegro previously formed a single federal state before Montenegro seceded in 2006, Djokovic has always competed under the Serbian flag. The Pope’s swift correction surprised observers, but those close to the Vatican know he possesses a deep passion for the sport.

Pope Leo took up weekly tennis matches after relocating to Rome and previously hosted world number 1 Jannik Sinner at the Vatican shortly after his papal election.

ATP Shanghai - Novak Djokovic's projected path

Projected draw
1st
BYE
2nd
H.Hurkacz (34) 8-0
J.Duckworth (64) 0-0
3rd
L.Musetti (25) 10-1
M.Bellucci (86) 0-0
Y.Zhou (277) 0-0
4th
F.Tiafoe (8) 2-0
A.Fokina (26) 5-1
J.Clar (49) 2-0
Y.Hanfmann (57) 3-0
QF
B.Shelton (4) 1-0
J.Mensik (15) 1-1
F.Cerundolo (20) 1-0
U.Humbert (32) 1-0
SF
A.Zverev (2) 10-5
F.Cobolli (7) 2-0
A.Minaur (9) 4-1
B.Nakashima (18) 0-0
F
C.Alcaraz (3) 5-5
D.Medvedev (5) 11-5
F.Auger-Aliassime (6) 2-1
A.Fils (10) 0-0

Novak Djokovic in 2026

Novak Djokovic

22 - 8win/loss

Hard
15-4
Clay
2-3
Grass
5-1
Rank
11
High
1
39 year old
WWWWWLLLW
2026 Highlights
W
Beijing
F
Australian Open
SF
Wimbledon
SEE ALL

Now ranked no.11, Djokovic played his last match on the 6th of October when he overcame world no.9 Alex De Minaur 7-6(3) 0-1 in the final in Beijing to win his 102nd career title.

This season Djokovic owns an overall 19-7 match record. The Serbian clinched 1 title in Beijing.

Djokovic
Beijing
Djokovic's Record