Even on difficult days, Zvecan eagerly awaits the Roland Garros final and the performance of “their” Novak Djokovic

Ten days ago, Zvecan came into the limelight of the world public after the incidents caused by the intrusion of the special unit of the Kosovo Police into the municipal building, the citizens' protests that have been held for days on that occasion, and the fact that this small town in the north of Kosovo has its place on the world map is less known, and for something that is the pride of every citizen of Zvecan - and that is the best tennis player in the world, Novak Djokovic.

Djokovic, who is also an honorary citizen of the municipality of Zvecan, has his roots in this place, and Lucija Stanisic, a woman who dedicated her life to sports, especially to school-age children, now lives in the house where his grandfather Vladimir and father Srdjan once lived.

A small one-story house with a beautiful yard full of roses, a landscaped lawn, and young pine trees is the symbol of Zvecan, and at the entrance right next to the yard gate is a small billboard dedicated to Novak Djokovic, which Lucija put up with the inscription "Nole, we love you, you are our pride".

In an interview for Kosovo Online, Lucija, who talks lovingly about the Djokovic family, says that the billboard was put up as a proud act and a memory of the injustice that was done to Djokovic a year and a half ago in Australia when he was banned from participating in the tournament.

"This is the house where Novak's father, uncle, aunt, grandmother, grandfather, and great-grandmother were born and lived. When they moved to Belgrade, we came here to live and I am glad and proud to be a part of that story. I can confirm that these people are also humane and that they deserved this kind of success, knowing how difficult Novak's path to becoming the world's number one player was because they made the most sacrifices," Lucija says.

She points out that Novak himself was happy to come here and that even today Nole proudly points out his origins.

"Novak came to Zvecan with his parents and his brothers a couple of times as a child, and you witnessed that he always mentions his Zvecan, respecting his father's birthplace and his roots, and when you respect your father and your roots, then success will come in the best way. Novak is not only the world number one in tennis, but also in humanity, and he proved that with his playing talent, but also with his humanitarian work, which makes many children happy regardless of religion and nation because he is truly the world's number also as a man," Lucija continues.

She says that she is extremely glad that Zvecan occupies a special place in the hearts of all members of the Djokovic family.

"You can see how proud Nole is, you can feel it in him, in Srdjan, in the whole family, how proud they are of where they come from, and that is important for the family and the person, regardless of what you do. You see for yourself, through all the events that those who do not forget their roots are very successful and paths open to them. The greatness of the Djokovic family is reflected in the fact that they always mention Zvecan, this street, and this house with pleasure and pride, and they were extremely happy when they saw this billboard that I put up here when Nole suffered injustice in Australia," Lucija told us.

According to her, Nole's positive defiance and character are his traits, which he inherited precisely from his Zvecan roots.

"The Zvecan trait in Novak Djokovic is that he endures everything, I wouldn't say defiance, but the positive character that his father Srdjan carries, and Novak also inherited that positive, that sporting character that you should always go forward, fight, and we can see how much he succeeds in that struggle, character, as the character of the entire Djokovic family," she assesses.

Not far from Djokovic's family house is the tennis court that Novak visited in 2008 and officially opened it. Children under the age of 10 work hard at the bottom of the Zvecan Fortress under the watchful eye of coach Vladeta Vulovic.

"The tennis club has existed since 2007; we work with children of a younger age with numerous financial difficulties. These children are what inspire me despite everything. We are fighting to reach the success of Novak Djokovic together with them. There is talent, but as with everything in life, hard work, and commitment are ahead," Vulovic says.

In front of the camera, the children showed their talent, their desire to prove themselves, and their shame in their statements, but one wish connects all their sentences. They sincerely want to host Novak, to play a match with him, and him to make them happy with a victory in tomorrow's final.

"I like to play tennis because of Novak Djokovic, if I saw him I would tell him that I love him," Dusan told us, whom many claim to have an exceptional talent.

Elena tells us that after winning the final, Djokovic will be number one again in world tennis.

"I like this sport. If I met Novak, I would like to play a match with him and I want him to win the final tomorrow," she points out.

Petra told us that she was pleased with Novak's message from Roland Garros.

"I was very happy when Djokovic greeted the whole of Zvecan, I would like him to come and watch us and play a tournament with us," Petra says proudly.

We tried to confuse the little ones with the question of what if Nole was not the first, but they did not give up.

"Djokovic achieves victory after victory, he beat Alcaraz and when he wins the final tomorrow, he will be the best in the world again," the ten-year-old girl told us, while her friend added, "We want him to be the best tennis player in the world for the rest of his life."

Behind the cameras, these are children who just want play and joy, their parents a normal life for them and a future where they will achieve their dreams.

Protests are still ongoing in front of the Zvecan municipality, people in groups gathered in front of the metal fence and KFOR soldiers are already making plans to support Novak Djokovic from this place tomorrow and believe that Sunday afternoon will end with a victory celebration and a new Grand Slam title, which will give Nole a secure spot at the top of the greatest of all time list.