Novak Djokovic Pays Emotional Tribute to Late Basketball Coach Duško Vujošević

The Serbian tennis star honored the legacy of the legendary Serbian basketball coach who passed away at 67.

Apr. 9, 2026 at 3:38am

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An abstract expressionist painting in vibrant neon colors, featuring blurred shapes and splatters that suggest basketball and tennis equipment, capturing the raw energy and passion of Serbian sports.Djokovic's emotional tribute to the late Serbian basketball icon Vujošević reflects the deep ties between the country's sports legends.Today in Miami

Novak Djokovic recently paid a heartfelt tribute to the legendary Serbian basketball coach Duško Vujošević, who passed away at the age of 67 after battling numerous health issues. Vujošević had an illustrious coaching career, most notably leading Partizan Belgrade to 23 trophies as their most successful coach. Djokovic took to social media to express his gratitude for Vujošević's contributions to Serbian sport.

Why it matters

Vujošević was a revered figure in Serbian sports, known for his remarkable success as the head coach of Partizan Belgrade's basketball team. His passing is a significant loss for the Serbian sporting community, and Djokovic's tribute highlights the deep respect and appreciation the tennis star has for Vujošević's legacy.

The details

Duško Vujošević began his coaching career in 1976 and had an illustrious journey, coaching Partizan Belgrade, OKK Beograd, the Serbia and Montenegro men's national basketball team, CSKA Moscow, and the Bosnia and Herzegovina men's national basketball team. During his time at Partizan Belgrade, Vujošević achieved remarkable success, guiding the club to a record 12 national championship titles, 5 national cup titles, and 5 Adriatic League titles, among many other honors. Vujošević passed away on April 8, 2026, at the age of 67, after battling numerous health issues, including diabetes and kidney problems.

  • Vujošević passed away on Wednesday, April 8, 2026.
  • Djokovic recently paid tribute to Vujošević on social media.

The players

Novak Djokovic

A 24-time Grand Slam singles champion and former world No. 1 tennis player who paid an emotional tribute to the late Serbian basketball coach Duško Vujošević.

Duško Vujošević

A legendary Serbian basketball coach who had an illustrious career, most notably leading Partizan Belgrade to 23 trophies as their most successful coach. He passed away at the age of 67 after battling numerous health issues.

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What they’re saying

“Rest in peace, Duško 🙏 Thank you for everything you gave to Serbian sport 🙌”

— Novak Djokovic

The takeaway

Djokovic's tribute to Vujošević highlights the deep respect and appreciation the tennis star has for the legendary Serbian basketball coach's contributions to the country's sporting legacy. Vujošević's passing is a significant loss for the Serbian sports community, and Djokovic's heartfelt message underscores the enduring impact of Vujošević's remarkable coaching career.