Djokovic lines up Thiem and Dimitrov for Adria Tour in the Balkans

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic may be celebrating his 33rd birthday on Friday, but the 17-time major champion had a present of his own to share with tennis fans. Djokovic announced he will return to action in Serbia, Croatia, Montenegro and Bosnia beginning in mid-June, and is inviting some of the best players in the world to join him on the Adria Tour.

Slated to run June 13 through July 5, a spokesperson for the Serbian stated that three-time major finalist Dominic Thiem, former ATP Finals champion Grigor Dimitrov and Djokovic’s longtime friend and Davis Cup teammate Viktor Troicki are confirmed to participate. Four more players will be added to ultimately create two groups, who will then play out round-robin matches using a Fast4 format to determine a grand final matchup each weekend. Djokovic and Bosnian Damir Dzumhur will wrap up the series with a special exhibition in Sarajevo on July 5.

According to the announcement, should it be deemed safe for fans to attend, there are plans to offer two ticket sessions per day. The overall mission for the event is to raise money and awareness for humanitarian projects throughout the Balkans, which includes the Novak Djokovic Foundation’s Early Childhood Development and Education programs.

Djokovic last appeared on the ATP tour when he won his third tournament of the year in Dubai over Stefanos Tsitsipas, increasing his 2020 season record to 18-0.