Ivan Dodig, a celebrated Croatian tennis player, spoke about the current state of tennis in Croatia, Serbia, and the Balkans. He highlighted that the situation in both regions is unsatisfactory, with a lack of systems and infrastructure to develop young talents. Dodig praised the work of the new president of the Croatian Tennis Association and announced the opening of a tennis academy in Međugorje. He also emphasized that the media in Croatia and Serbia do not give enough attention to tennis except for the biggest stars like Novak Djokovic. Dodig cited Italy as a positive example, which has a developed system and support for tennis at all levels. He stressed that without adequate infrastructure and systems, it is difficult to create new champions and maintain success at the world level.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning outlets tend to emphasize the systemic failures and lack of support for sports development in Croatia and Serbia, highlighting the need for better public investment and infrastructure to nurture young athletes. They may also focus on the social and economic challenges that hinder sports progress in the Balkans.
Center: Centrist sources report on Ivan Dodig’s critique of the current state of tennis in Croatia and Serbia with a balanced view, acknowledging the achievements of top players like Novak Djokovic and Croatian champions, while also noting the infrastructural and systemic issues. They highlight Dodig’s optimism about reforms and new initiatives like the tennis academy.
Right: Right-leaning media often focus on national pride in the achievements of tennis stars such as Novak Djokovic and Croatian champions, while acknowledging the challenges in sports infrastructure. They may emphasize individual effort and the role of leadership in sports federations, supporting Dodig’s positive outlook on new leadership and initiatives.
