President Vucic receives former world No. 1 tennis player Jelena Jankovic: She will be EXPO promoter

Photo: Tanjug

President of Serbia Aleksandar Vucic said today that the former world number one tennis player, Jelena Jankovic, will be a promoter of EXPO 2027 in Belgrade and added he believes that the event will break all records.

Recommended

"EXPO is the most important thing for us, it will be the biggest event next year in the whole world, attracting the most people, and we believe that we will break all records, with the largest participation, with the participation of the largest number of countries and other organizations," said Vucic, who hosted Jelena Jankovic at the Presidency in Belgrade.

He pointed out that EXPO is more than that, and that it means the development of the country and investments in different parts of Serbia.

"The fact that you will promote your country, our country and be there with us when it takes place, where we will host dozens of European and world leaders, is of great importance for our country," stated Vucic.

He pointed out that every day more and more work is being done and finished related to EXPO, from the very location where it will be held, the railway from the airport to EXPO, from the airport to the city center, new railway stations, new roads, piers, marinas...

"So the city will also look different. You (Jankovic) are now more used to another country, but I know how much Serbia is in your heart and I am infinitely grateful for the fact that you protect, preserve, defend and love your country in every place in the world," said Vucic.

He added that he was happy to have the opportunity to talk with the former athlete and that, like many in Serbia, he was a big fan, always proud of her achievements and of how she showed love for Serbia.

Vucic thanked Jankovic for the joy she brought to the citizens of Serbia and our people, wherever she lives.

"Thank you for those 17 weeks at the number one spot, but also for all the time when you were not there in the WTA ranking, for always fighting for Serbia and thank you for still doing that to this day. I saw that you had a daughter, I wish her good health and to be hard working and successful like her mother. Once again, thank you very much and welcome," said President Vucic.

"Great honor to be EXPO ambassador"

"It is a great honor to be here with you today and to become an EXPO ambassador," Jankovic said during the reception.

She thanked the president and the EXPO team for their trust and for inviting her to be a part of that great story.

"During my entire career, I tried to represent the country in the best possible way, from my heart, with great pride and with great love," Jankovic said.

She added that the EXPO 2027 theme, "Play for Humanity", means that regardless of our differences, we find what unites us and become part of something bigger than ourselves.

"And now the world is coming to us, to Serbia, to get to know the country of world class champions, scientists, artists, a country of strong culture and tradition. And what's perhaps the most recognizable about us and the most beautiful - our hospitality and our big heart," said Jankovic.

President Vucic presented our celebrated tennis player with a jewelry box decorated with motifs from Dusan's Code, while she gifted him a tennis racket.

Jelena Jankovic reached the top spot in the WTA rankings in 2008, and won 15 WTA tour tiles on her own, and two in doubles.

She is the player with the most victories won for the Serbian national team. For her 50th match in the national jersey, the Tennis Association of Serbia awarded her the Crown Award for the most successful tennis player in the national team.

On the occasion of Statehood Day in 2017, she was awarded the Order of the Star of Karadjordje.

Jelena Jankovic is one of only three tennis players who werenumber 1 in both the junior and senior categories.

(Telegraf.rs/Tanjug)