Under the bright lights of Athens, where applause echoed like ancient hymns in a modern coliseum, Novak Djokovic earned yet another hard-fought win—this time against Alejandro Tabilo. But on this night, victory wasn’t the story. Emotion was. Legacy was. And memory, tender and powerful, stole the spotlight. As Djokovic stood before the crowd, sweat still glistening from his 7-6(3), 6-1 triumph, his composure began to slip. His voice trembled, his eyes found the ground, and suddenly, the stoic world-beater who built a fortress around his emotions let the walls fall. He wasn’t talking about tactics or his fighting spirit; instead, it was all about his late ‘tennis father,’ Nikola Pilić.

Pilić was a Croatian professional tennis player who competed for SFR Yugoslavia in the 70s. If we take a look at his tennis career, he reached a highest ranking of number 6 and his best record at the major tournaments was reaching the French Open final in 1973. However, in doubles, he won the US Open title in 1970. After retiring from the sport, he began coaching, and Pilić had previously worked with Serbia’s Davis Cup as an adviser. He ran an academy near Munich, Germany, where he developed players like Novak Djokovic, Anastasija Sevastova, Ernests Gulbis, and Michael Stich. His contribution to tennis is enormous. So, when he died in Rijeka, Croatia, on September 22 this year at the age of 86, the tennis world came together to pay condolences to his family.

Several tennis bigwigs like Boris Becker, Marin Cilic, and Ivan Dodig attended the funeral. The death of Nikola Pilić had deeply affected Djokovic as well. After hearing this sad news, Djokovic penned down an emotional note for his former mentor, saying, “Mr. Niko, my hand is shaking as I write this from the amount of love and respect I feel for you. Thank you for every moment we spent together, for every word spoken, every glance, every hug. Rest in peace, our dear… Novak.” He pledged to celebrate his name and everything he has done for tennis for the rest of his years. This time, yet again, when he saw a heartfelt tribute paid to the late Nikola Pilić in Athens, he couldn’t hold his tears. An emotional Djokovic said, “It was an emotional moment. 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.”

In September, Novak Djokovic even shared an IG post where he spoke about how much Pilić meant to him and how his influence helped him develop his game. He thanked him and his wife, Mia, for accepting him as their son when he was just 12 years old. Speaking more of his tennis father after his match against Tabilo, Djokovic added, “It was a very, very difficult moment. But on a brighter side, the legacy that he left behind on me, but also for this sport, is never going to fade away, never going to die. 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.”

Pilić’s influence on Djokovic shines through history like sunlight through a stained-glass window. Long before Djokovic lifted Grand Slams like they were mandatory trophies or reclaimed the world number one spot with relentless hunger, he was a skinny kid in Munich. Shy. Talented. Undeniably determined—but directionless in a world that demanded guidance.

In 2018, during an interview with the Serbian website Politika, Pilić recalled Novak Djokovic’s great ambition and inspiration as a kid. “One day, I remember that he said he wanted to become the world no. 1; many people were laughing, but for me it wasn’t that funny. To be honest, when he came to Munich at 13, he had many shortcomings in his game, which he worked hard to improve.” After four years, when he returned to Belgrade, Djokovic started winning his first ATP ranking points. So, that’s how it got started.

Three years after that interview, Nikola Pilić hailed Djokovic’s intelligence and claimed, “I am not subjective, Novak is the best of all time… Djokovic is phenomenal, great work, honest, and hardworking.” This tells you how strong their chemistry was.

In Athens, Djokovic won a match. But more importantly, he reminded the world that greatness isn’t just written in trophies—it’s carved in the people who guide talents, love them, and leave them forever changed. What else did Novak Djokovic say during his post-match interview, though?

Novak Djokovic feels “at home” while playing in Athens

Novak Djokovic has been living in Athens since September, having left Serbia with his family to settle in the Greek capital. What started as a temporary move has turned into an experience that he describes as enriching and grounding. So, after securing a victory in the first match of the Hellenic Championship, he shed light on his experience of playing in Athens.

“It feels really at home, playing in Athens. A few months ago, when I came here with my family, I was very excited because I have always loved Greece. Serbians love Greece, for sure. Historically, culturally, and religiously, we have a lot of things connecting us. Athens is in my heart, no question about it,” said the 24-time Grand Slam winner.

There aren’t many players who boast a 100% record against Novak Djokovic. But Alejandro Tabilo managed to beat him in the previous two meetings. So, after finally getting the chance to open his account against the Chilean, Djokovic said, “I’m thrilled to get through tonight. I played against Tabilo, and I’ve never won against him, so I was more under tension before the match than I would be before some others.”

Just a few days ago, Italian Tennis Federation president Angelo Binaghi confirmed Djokovic’s participation at the ATP Finals. But surprisingly, during the same post-match interview, the Serb dismissed that claim, saying, “I don’t know where he got that information from. Definitely not from me or my team. I will decide at the end of this tournament.”

So, only time will tell whether we’ll see him perform against Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz at the ATP Finals or not. But do you feel Djokovic is the favorite to win the title in Athens?