Novak Djokovic plans move after being branded a traitor in Serbia

Vucic has responded by stepping up the arrest of protesters while police have been accused of standing by as masked thugs beat up ­demonstrators.

Djokovic, 38, threw his weight behind the protesters in December, saying: “As someone who deeply believes in the power of young people and their ­desire for a better future, I believe it is ­important that their voices are heard.”

Playing at the Australian Open in January he expressed solidarity for a student who was run over and seriously injured when protesters blocked a road. He has since posted images of large rallies and worn a jumper reading, “Students are Champions”.

At Wimbledon in July, he made a pumping gesture with his arms, seen as a tribute to the protesters’ slogan “Pumpaj”, which means “keep pumping”. He is an unlikely opponent of Vucic’s government, which has nurtured Serbian nationalism.

Djokovic first began to show signs of opposition to Vucic’s nationalist government in 2021 when he backed protests against plans for a new lithium mine in Serbia.

His growing support for the students has incurred the wrath of Serbian tabloids, which target Vucic’s enemies. After fêting him as a national icon they have claimed he is backing violence and hinted he is taking performance enhancing drugs.

Misa Baculov Ronin, founder of the Hero of the Streets protest group, said: “On TV he is being called a mercenary paid by foreign governments to bring the government down.”

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