Bogdan Bogdanovic Honored by Tennis Legend While Serbia Gets Key EuroBasket Boost

Serbia’s EuroBasket 2025 journey has been marked by both heartbreak and resilience. The national team suffered a major blow when captain Bogdan Bogdanovic was ruled out of the tournament with a torn hamstring, sustained during the group-stage clash against Portugal. The Los Angeles Clippers guard had been central to Serbia’s ambitions alongside Nikola Jokić, but his sudden exit forced an immediate adjustment for coach Svetislav Pešić’s squad.

Among those to rally around Bogdanovic was none other than Serbian tennis icon Novak Djokovic. The 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed he immediately called his friend after hearing the news. “The moment I read that he got injured, I called him right away. He’s my favorite basketball player. My captain. We love him very much,” Djokovic said. His words highlighted the deep respect and camaraderie shared between two of Serbia’s biggest sporting figures.

Novak Djokovic immediately contacted Bogdan Bogdanovic to show his support to his compatriot when he heard the news that the captain of Serbia will miss the rest of the #Eurobasket pic.twitter.com/vZcwnUiAZU

— Eurohoops (@Eurohoopsnet) September 2, 2025

Yet amid the setback came a vital boost: the return of guard Vasilije Micić. After briefly exiting with a rib injury against Czechia, the Charlotte Hornets playmaker has rejoined the lineup. Known for his elite passing, composure, and leadership, Micić’s presence offers Serbia stability in the backcourt and eases the creative burden on Jokić.

With an undefeated record in Group A, Serbia continues to look like a gold-medal contender. Though Bogdanovic’s absence leaves a leadership void, Djokovic’s support and Micić’s return provide both emotional lift and tactical reinforcement as Serbia marches into the knockout stage.

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