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Tennis

'Publicity stunt, famous hona hai' - Serbian Tennis player Dejana Radanovic criticised by fans for making controversial remarks about India

Dejana Radanovic didn't mince her words when she pointed out her dislikes for India's food, transport and hygiene in a series of Instagram stories.

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Mathew K
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Dejana Radanovic (Source: X)

Dejana Radanovic (Source: X)

Serbian tennis player Dejana Radanovic found herself in the midst of controversy after making 'racist' remarks about India on social media. Radanovic, who was recently in India for three International Tennis Federation (ITF) tournaments, is facing backlash for sharp criticism against the touring nation. 

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The 27-year-old didn't mince her words when she pointed out her dislikes for India's food, transport and hygiene in a series of Instagram stories. It started with her posting a story saying that she would never visit India again. "Adios India. See you never ever ever ever ever EVER again," Radanovic wrote. 

Fans were curious to know the reason behind saying goodbye forever and soon she posted another story from Munich airport. "Hello civilization. Only those who have experienced something like India for three weeks can only understand the feeling," Radanovic wrote in the caption. 

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Radanovic comes up with an explanation after Indians demanded apology 

These two Instagram stories didn't sit well with the fans and they accused the Serbian athlete of being racist. They demanded her to issue an apology for her statements on social media which tarnished the reputation of the country. However, instead of apologising, Radanovic came forward with an explanation on the matter. 

The tennis player said that she was not making any racist remarks and was addressing her suffering. She lamented about getting worms in the food, unhygienic conditions in her hotel room and transportation difficulties. 

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“I didn’t like India – the country. I didn’t like the food, traffic, hygiene (worms in the food, yellow pillows and dirty bed linen in the hotel, not knowing how to use roundabout etc.)

“If you come to my country, Serbia, and you don’t like all those same things, that means you are a racist??? What the hell does that have to do with racism?! I have friends of all nationalities and colours so don’t go there cause it’s an absolute NONSENSE!," she clarified in another story. 

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Fans continued to lash out at the World No. 245 tennis player on social media and demanded an apology from her. Radanovic's last ITF tournament was the Mumbai Open 2024. Notably, the Serbian was defeated by India's Vaidehi Chaudhari in the match after she was forced to retire hurt.  

Here's how fans reacted to Dejana Radanovic's controversial remarks about India: 

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