Serbian Davis Cup Captain Hints at a Potential Novak Djokovic Return For a Crucial Tie

Novak Djokovic last participated in the Davis Cup in September last year.

Serbian Davis Cup Captain Hints at a Potential Novak Djokovic Return For a Crucial Tie

Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Swish Tennis)

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Serbia is preparing for one of the most competitive Davis Cup qualifiers of the 2026 season, and captain Viktor Troicki made no attempt to help the team by hoping for a potential return of Novak Djokovic to the team. The Serbian team had a turbulent campaign in the Davis Cup, crashing out in the first round of the qualifiers.

Serbia has been drawn to face Chile away from home in their first round qualifier for the Davis Cup in February next year. The draw itself placed Serbia among the seeded teams, yet the tie is not favorable to them. Chile boasts of three former top 20 players, Nicolas Jarry, Cristian Garin, and Alejandro Tabilo, who, despite not being at their peak, often possess great threats on the court.

Meanwhile, Serbia has only the experience of Hamad Medjedovic and Miomir Kecmanović, but that may not be enough to get them over the line against Chile in the Davis Cup qualifiers coming up next year. They will need an experienced Djokovic to help them get over the line as they bid to reach the Finals for the first time since 2023.

However, Djokovic’s relationship with the Davis Cup has evolved in the past three years. Despite his competitiveness and his declaration of representing his country in national events and the Olympics, he has not been on good terms with his country’s political leaders. A few months ago, he relocated to Athens, Greece, from Belgrade.

He last won a title for Serbia at the Paris Olympics, where he claimed the singles gold medal for the first time in his career. During an interview with El Mercurio, Troicki was asked about Djokovic being part of the Serbian squad for the Davis Cup qualifiers. The former ATP player revealed that it’s too early to know whether the 38-year-old will play at the event, but didn’t rule out Djokovic’s participation in the first round qualifiers:

It is too early to say if Novak will be on the team. Definitely with him, we would be one of the strongest teams, and Novak has already helped us many times by winning his matches. We have to see after the Australian Open, depending on the result, how he fares and how he feels.

Serbia’s dependency on Djokovic showed at the 2025 Davis Cup qualifiers against Denmark, where they led 2-0 but collapsed to the Danish team to lose 2-3 in the end, which highlighted the fine margins of the competition. Djokovic’s presence has historically transformed Serbia into a strong contender, as he did in 2023, when he led his country to the semi-finals in Malaga, and in 2010, when he helped his country win the title.

Viktor Troicki expects a tough battle against Chile in the Davis Cup qualifiers next year

The major issue that confronts Serbia ahead of the Davis Cup qualifiers is that Chile has chosen to play all its clashes on clay. That is a major problem for Serbia, as Chile’s best result historically comes on the surface, and their home ties often turn into an emotionally charged battle. Also, there’s a strategic reason why Chile has chosen clay, as most of their top players have built significant portions of their careers on the surface.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/AllAboutHQ)

Serbia only relies on a mix of experienced leaders and rising talents in Davis Cup matches in Novak Djokovic’s absence. During the aforementioned interview, Viktor Troicki admitted that it will be a difficult clash for Serbia and Chile, but noted that the home country is more used to the surface:

We assume the matches will be played on clay… some of our tennis players usually go to South America to play the Latin America Swing, so they are adapted to the clay court. It’s a very difficult series for both nations… I know how involved the crowd can be there.

Djokovic finished the 2025 season by winning two ATP 250 titles in Geneva and Athens, respectively. He also reached the semi-finals of all four Grand Slam tournaments, but struggled in the shadows of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, who dominated the men’s circuit this season.

Also Read: Olga Danilovic Reveals Novak Djokovic’s Paris Olympics Gold Medal Victory Was ‘the Most Emotional Day’ in Serbia