Serbian coach expelled from professional association for condoning Russia's shelling of Odesa

Serbian tennis coach Vladimir Odobasic is no longer an active member of the Global Professional Tennis Coach Association (GPTCA) following the controversy surrounding his reaction to the Russian missile strike on Odesa.

According to Glavkom, Odobasic’s profile on the GPTCA’s official website now bears the note: “This membership has been suspended and is no longer valid.”

The scandal arose after the Russian attack on Odesa, which destroyed the apartment of Ukrainian tennis player Dayana Yastremska’s family. The athlete posted a video of the aftermath of the strike on social media.

Under her post, Odobasich left a comment reading “Bravo Rusija” (“Bravo, Russia”).

The publication uncovered these comments and brought them to the attention of the global tennis community. Following the outcry, the Serbian coach’s profile on the GPTCA website was modified.

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PHOTO: Glavkom

Previously, Odobasich held the highest coaching certification—A-Level—from the GPTCA. His profile also listed over 23 years of coaching experience.

In 2022, the Serbian was among the graduates of the GPTCA’s A-Level program. Among the course instructors were Wolfgang Tim—the father and coach of former tennis player Dominic Tim—as well as other coaches and specialists who have worked with ATP Top 100 players and Iga Świątek.

Odobasic also collaborated with the Gilly Tennis Academy in Malta, and in 2024, he was listed as a coach at the High Intensive Junior Tennis Camp in Poreč, Croatia.

Currently, his profile in the GPTCA registry is marked as suspended, and his membership is listed as no longer valid.

Андрій Колісніченко