Belgrade hosted an ATP 250 clay event in the last two years.
Serbia Open tournament director Djordje Djokovic has announced that the tournament is relocating from Belgrade to Banja Luka for 2023. The Serbia Open, which held its inaugural edition in 2021, also hosted an ATP 250 event this year.
Going forward, the Serbia Open organizers would like to get the ATP 500 license. Because the Serbia Open organizers are planning to improve their tennis facility in Belgrade, the organizers had to find a replacement location for 2023.
For the first time in Bosnian tennis history, Bosnia and Herzegovina will host an ATP event. “Banja Luka was our choice for this relocation period for several reasons. The main one is that there is an outstanding tennis center with nine courts, three of which will have stands.
The existing capacity of the central stadium will be increased to 6,000 seats, while the court number two will have 1,500 seats, and Court 3 will have 700. We will also create a fan zone in the park with various contents. I know that the audience’s interest is huge, Banja Luka loves Novak, and everyone wants to see top tennis players live.
That’s why I think the tournament in Banja Luka will be even more visited than Belgrade this year, which broke the attendance record with 49,000 tickets sold,” Djordje Djokovic said, per Bosnian media outlet Klix.
Djordje Djokovic confirms Novak intends to play in Banja Luka
“The ATP accepted Banja Luka as an option, because that city has hosted the Challenger for 20 years. They are a well-known destination for tennis players, many quality players have played there, they were always warmly welcomed, and I believe that the tournament will really be a great success,” Djordje Djokovic explained.
When asked directly if Novak Djokovic plans to play in Banja Luka, Djordje said that’s definitely the plan. “That is certainly the plan. God willing health, everything goes as it should and Novak will play in Banja Luka,” Djordje Djokovic concluded.
