World No. 1 Novak Djokovic recently celebrated an early-season win off the tennis court as the Novak Djokovic Foundation raised nearly a quarter of a million euros to promote early childhood education in Serbia.
The Novak Djokovic Foundation’s third Season of Giving campaign rallied fans and supporters from around the world to raise €108,000 with the goal of opening a preschool in both Vajska and Ljubis, two villages in Serbia. Novak and his wife, Jelena Djokovic, then matched the donations, ensuring that over 100 children will have access to crucial early education.
“Thank you so much for supporting our Season of Giving campaign. In the past two months, we’ve managed to raise €108.000!” Jelena, co-founder and Global CEO of the Novak Djokovic Foundation said. “We’ve reached our goal and exceeded our goal. Novak and I will match your donations, so we will have a quarter of a million to invest in opening two new kindergartens in Serbia in two villages. This means a lot to us.”
With the donations, the foundation will be building the first preschool in the village of Ljubis, where children previously travelled around five kilometers every day to learn with their peers. For Vajska, a place where as many as 25 different national minorities live in harmony, the new preschool will aim to reach as many children from marginalised groups as possible.
“Thanks to social media, thanks to your word and support and help, we’ve had more than a thousand individuals who donated their money, and multiplied our message,” Jelena said. “This is something that means a lot to us. Thank you so much for believing in our mission, in our team, and for believing in their dreams.”
Since 2007, the Novak Djokovic Foundation has been an advocate for childhood education and inclusive early education that supports children from disadvantaged communities – especially in Novak’s and Jelena’s native Serbia. The Djokovic family also supported Serbia’s battle against COVID-19 last year, donating €1 million for the purchase of ventilators and medical equipment to support hospitals and medical institutions.
Did You Know?
The Novak Djokovic Foundation received an ATP ACES For Charity grant in 2013, 2017 and 2020. In 2012, Djokovic was named the ATP Tour's Arthur Ashe Humanitarian of the Year in the ATP Awards.
