Belgrade: Serbian President Boris Tadic awarded tennis star Novak Djokovic with the Gold Star of Karadjordje, the highest state honour medal for his "exceptional merits".

Tadic called Djokovic the "best ambassador" of Serbia, according to a presidential press release.

It will be the first time the Star of Karadjordje has been awarded since it was discontinued by the leadership of Yugoslavia after World War II.

The decoration was first established in 1904 by King Peter and reintroduced in 2010.

Karadjordje established the modern Serbian state and led the first successful uprising against the Ottoman Empire in 1804. He was the founder of the Serbian royal family.