Novak Djokovic fought back tears in Athens on Tuesday after winning the Hellenic Championship, as the tournament paid tribute to his late coach Nikola Pilic, who passed away in September at the age of 86, Reuters reported.
Moments after a gripping win over Alejandro Tabilo in the second round, Djokovic’s face twisted with emotion as a moving video tribute to Pilic played inside the stadium.
«It was an emotional moment,» Djokovic told the ATP website. «He meant so much to me and my family, both privately and professionally. He played a crucial part in shaping who I am, on and off the court.»
Pilic, a Croatian tennis legend, was a 1973 French Open finalist and later guided Germany to three Davis Cup titles between 1988 and 1993. Widely respected for his expertise, he founded an academy in Germany that shaped the careers of many players — including a 12-year-old Djokovic. Djokovic credits Pilic as a crucial mentor whose dedication to developing young talent left a lasting impact on world tennis.
