Moment: Tearful Djokovic pays tribute to late coach Pilic
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Novak Djokovic heaped praise on the Telekom Center Athens, calling it “one of the top three” venues he has ever played in, after advancing to Saturday’s final against Lorenzo Musetti.The top seed defeated Yannick Hanfmann 6-3 6-4 to secure his place in the Hellenic Championship final. Musetti now awaits Djokovic, after his 6-0 5-7 7-5 victory over Sebastian Korda in Friday’s other semi-final.
Having won his first three matches without dropping a set at a place he has described as “home”, Djokovic appeared in peak form at the ATP 250 event in Athens – a tournament owned by his family.
In his post-match interview, he said: “Thank you for your support and for filling up this amazing stadium again.
“It’s such a great venue to have a tournament, honestly. It’s the third match I’ve played on Centre Court, but every time I walk out, I’m amazed.
“I’ve played in some of the most beautiful and biggest arenas in the world, but this is definitely in the top three I’ve ever played in. You [the fans] make it very special.”
Novak Djokovic proved too strong for Yannick Hanfmann
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Djokovic’s win over Hanfmann marked the Serbian’s third consecutive victory against the German, underlining his tactical adaptability and mental strength. Despite Hanfmann’s tall frame and powerful serving, Djokovic stayed composed, breaking serve at crucial moments to dictate play.
The 38-year-old recovered from a 3-1 deficit in the second set, going on to claim a straight-sets victory.
Djokovic surrendered his serve for the first time this week but quickly regained control to maintain his perfect 30-0 record in 2025 when winning the opening set.
Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic said: “I think it was the best tennis I’ve played this tournament, definitely, it came at the right time.
Lorenzo Musetti overcame Sebastian Korda to reach the final in Athens
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“Honestly, I knew [Yannick] Hanfmann causes a great threat, because he’s a very tall player, who serves very big, has big shots, a big game, very aggressive, and takes the ball very early, very flat, so it takes the time away from his opponent, so I needed to stay focused all the way through.
“I was a break down in the second set, 3-1, but held my composure, didn’t allow myself to be too negative, I guess, and it resulted positively for me. All in all, very content with my performance.”
The Telekom Center has quickly become a favorite among players and fans alike, with its intimate yet electrifying atmosphere.
The arena provides excellent sightlines, top-class facilities, and a vibrant energy that Djokovic highlighted as one of the reasons for his praise. His admiration for the venue adds to its growing reputation as a premier destination on the ATP Tour.
Djokovic is chasing his 101st career title and will contest his 19th ATP 250 final on Saturday, where he holds a record of 13 wins and only one loss since 2009.
His last defeat in an ATP 250 final came three years ago at the Serbia Open, when Russia’s Andrey Rublev claimed victory. A win in Athens would add yet another trophy to his remarkable career,
Djokovic will already have in mind the first Grand Slam of 2026, the Australian Open, which will be live on TNT Sports and discovery+.
Winning a 25th major will never be far from his thoughts but before then, all eyes will be on the Athens final as Djokovic attempts to defeat Musetti for a ninth time in his career, losing just once previously during the ATP Masters 1000 Monte Carlo in 2023.
It would mark an emphatic response after the 24-time major champion decided to withdraw from last week’s Paris Masters, the final ATP 1000 event of the season, with the season-ending ATP Finals in Turin getting underway on Sunday.
Watch and stream top tennis action, including the 2026 Australian Open, live on TNT Sports and discovery+
