Novak Djokovic slapped with a $10,786 fine from the Marbella council for unlicensed renovations
Novak Djokovic undertook an unlicensed renovation of his mansion in Marbella, which is against the urban planning regulations of the city.
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Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Wolfy)
Novak Djokovic has been enjoying success at the Miami Open and is in the quarter-finals. But in a twist off the court, the Serbian has now been slapped with a $10,786 fine for unauthorized revolution on his residence in Marbella, Spain. The local authorities are now bent on making sure the fine is paid by the former World No.1.
Djokovic is said to own a luxurious mansion in Marbella worth over $10 million. However, the World No.5 carried out a renovation in the mansion without a license from the authorities. The property, which is situated in the Sierra Blanca area of the city, has been at the center of a legal dispute after it was discovered that builders were allowed into the mansion without necessary permits.
The work carried out by the builders is against the Andalusian Land Law (LISTA). The city council opened the case against Djokovic imposing an initial $5,390. The fine came after Djokovic failed to legalize the renovation within a two-month deadline established in the land law. The council then handed the former World No.1 another two months to make things right and restore the property’s legal status in line with the Urban planning regulations.
The extra two-month deadline was to give Djokovic time to demolish certain completed parts of the renovated house, including a basement parking area and a porch. The council warned that failure to do so would see them issue further fines and actions on the property, including twelve successive fines that aim at restoring the legal status of the mansion.
With the extra two-month deadline over, the council has now added another $5,390 making it $10,786. This is not the first time that Djokovic’s architectural aspiration has come under scrutiny, but it’s surely a distraction he doesn’t need at this period of his career. The 37-year-old is seeking his first tour-level title since November 2023.
He has a shot at ending the title drought in Miami after reaching the quarter-finals of the tournament. He will face American Sebastian Korda for a place in the semi-final of the tournament.
Why Novak Djokovic vs. Sebastian Korda quarter-final match at the Miami Open was postponed
Novak Djokovic and Sebastian Korda were scheduled to feature in the five singles matches on Wednesday (March 26), including the Round of 16 tie between Arthur Fils and Alexander Zverev, which was postponed the previous day due to rain.
The organizers of the tournament were bent on using only the Stadium Court of the Hard Rock Stadium at the Miami Open to play all the matches. The first match of the day was between Alexandra Eala and Iga Swiatek, which finished in straight sets.
But it was the following matches between Fils and Zverev and the next between Grigor Dimitrov and Francisco Cerundolo that wasted much time as they went on three sets. Also, Emma Raducanu and Jessica Pegula started not until around 9pm EST and went on three sets, finishing nearly at 11:30 pm.
Under the guidance of the new ATP and WTA scheduling rule a match should not start later than 11 pm except with approval. That led the organizers to postpone Djokovic vs Korda’s quarter-final match to Thursday (March 26).
Novak Djokovic says he still feels surreal about Andy Murray being his coach
Novak Djokovic began his partnership with coach Andy Murray at the Australian Open. The collaboration yielded an instant success and they were able to extend it until the clay season. Both players have known each other since their days competing in Juniors and in the ATP. Djokovic revealed after earning a place in the quarter-finals of the Miami Open that he still feels surreal about Murray being his coach.
I’ve always had tremendous respect for Andy, as a player, but now even more so as a person. He’s such a nice guy and I’m really grateful he cares about me doing well on the court. It’s still surreal that one of my biggest rivals is my coach, and he’s fist-bumping and jumping around in the box.
Novak Djokovic said via Miami Open Press
Djokovic last had a taste of a tour-level title at the 2023 ATP Finals in Riyadh. Since then, the Serbian has come close twice to winning a title, first at the 2024 Wimbledon Championship and Shanghai Masters, but ended up in both tournaments as runners-up.
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