Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Djokovic gives pre-match message of support to Serbia at Euro 2024 game against England

Serbia has gotten a pre-match message of support from its most famous sports star ahead of the country’s European Championship opener against England

James Robson
Sunday 16 June 2024 20:10 BST

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

Serbia had a pre-match message of support from its most famous sports star ahead of the country’s European Championship opener against England on Sunday.

Novak Djokovic appeared on the big screens inside Arena AufSchalke while Serbia’s players were warming up before kickoff in the Group C game.

The 24-time Grand Slam tennis champion gave a pre-recorded message to a backdrop of cheers by Serbia’s fans.

Djokovic last played competitively at the French Open, where he withdrew because of injury ahead of the quarterfinals.

Serbia was playing in the Euros for the first time since 2000. England was a beaten finalist in the last Euros, losing on penalties to Italy in the final three years ago.

Police rushed to separate brawling fans in Gelsenkirchen earlier in the day.

Social media footage showed men throwing chairs at each other outside a restaurant festooned with Serbian flags in the city.

Earlier in Group C, Denmark drew 1-1 with Slovenia, with Christian Eriksen scoring three years after suffering a cardiac arrest on the field at the last Euros.

___

James Robson is at https://twitter.com/jamesalanrobson

___

AP Euro 2024: https://apnews.com/hub/euro-2024

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in