Djokovic’s father slams Serbian federation

BELGRADE - Novak Djokovic’s father has declared war on the Serbian tennis federation days after the nation lifted a historic Davis Cup title over France.

Srdjan Djokovic said in a statement that little of the credit for the success should go to the federation but instead to the families and the players themselves.

“The present federation leadership, headed by (former player) Slobodan Zivojinovic, has nothing to do with Serbia’s Davis Cup victory,” stormed the senior Djokovic.

“We are the world tennis champions thanks to the players and their families only,” he said. “I have no ambition to take over from Zivojinovic, but the federation needs a thorough reconstruction.”

Practice facilities are scarce in Serbia, which has still managed to produce Djokovic as well as former top female seeds Jelena Jankovic and Ana Ivanovic.

Serbia beat nine-time champion France December 5 in the Belgrade final. The Djokovics, owners of a pizza restaurant at a ski resort, have taken over by default as a powerful force in the Serbian game.

“We need better facilities, and I won’t speculate who will replace whom in the federation, but I can assure you that staff changes will be made,” Davis Cup coach Bogdan Obradovic said.

“The players have received slim financial support all these years while we have achieved an incredible result by winning the Davis Cup in our first final,” he said. “I know that we don’t have resources like countries such as the United States, but investments have to be at least partially proportional to our results.”