Novak Djokovic broke down in tears after a touching tribute to his late coach and mentor Nikola Pilic after his victory over Alejandro Tabilo in the Hellenic Championship.
The event, previously held in Djokovic’s home country of Serbia, has now been moved to Athens, following the Djokovic family after they evacuated their home country due to political tension. It is the first ATP tennis event in Greece since 1994, with a whole host of stars competing as they look to end the year with a bang.
The 38-year-old is one of them gunning for the title, and he got off to the perfect start with a win over Tabilo. However, after the match, poignant scenes were shown as the Hellenic Championship did a heartfelt tribute in honour of Pilic, the former Croatian tennis player who played a pivotal role in moulding Djokovic into the 24-time Grand Slam champion he is. It was very tough for Djokovic when Pilic sadly passed, but he got the fortunate opportunity to celebrate his life surrounded by his friends and coaches from Pilic’s academy, the one he joined at the tender age of just 12. He was also joined by tournament director and brother Djordje Djokovic, who were touched when watching a video tribute of the Croatian.This broke Djokovic down, who crumbled in emotion after watching the moving tribute. “It was an emotional moment,” Djokovic said to the ATP website. “Considering what he meant to me and my family — privately, also professionally — he was my tennis father as I like to call him, someone that has played a fundamental, integral role in my development as a tennis player and as a human being. It was really sad news when I heard that he passed away a few months ago.”
He continued his praise of his good friend and mentor: “As long as I play tennis and as long as I live, I will celebrate his name. And tonight this was one of the moments of how to pay tribute and I’m sure in the near future — in the far future as well — people will learn about how Niki has impacted the world of tennis and the world of sport. He deserves it. He was a very special man.”
Djokovic happy in Athens
There does not seem to be any signs of homesickness being shown from Djokovic, who seems to be embracing his new life in Greece. “It feels really at home, playing in Athens,” he said. “A few months ago when I came here with my family, I was very excited because I have always loved Greece,” Djokovic said. “Serbians love Greece, for sure. Historically, culturally and religiously, we have a lot of things connecting us. It was amazing to experience the great hospitality of the Greek people.”
Adding to that, he has been overwhelmed by the love and support from the Greek citizens, with him in awe of their kindness and warmth. “More than the recognition for my tennis achievement, I feel people have approached me in the most friendly and humane way and that is something that has touched my heart. Athens is in my heart,” he added.
The Hellenic Championship was always something Djokovic was going to prioritise when he and the event moved to the Greek capital. While he has missed a number of events this year, there was no way he was going to play on his new home soil. His victory over the recent Chengdu Open champion Tabilo has set him up with a quarter-final clash against Nuno Borges.