‘Sorry for this’: Novak Djokovic in tears as tribute video plays for ‘tennis father’ who died in September
Novak Djokovic fought back tears after his second-round win at the Hellenic Championship in Athens, after tournament organisers played a tribute video to his former coach Nikola Pilic, who died in September aged 86.
Djokovic battled through a tough opening set before pulling away to defeat Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(3), 6-1 in the first top-tier tournament held in Greece in more than 30 years.
Djokovic’s win secured him a spot in the quarter-finals at the ATP 250 event and during the post-match interview on court, the 24-time grand slam champion, who joined Pilic’s academy in Germany when he was 12, was visibly moved during the video.
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In his playing days, Croatian Pilic was runner-up at Roland-Garros in 1973 and after turning to coaching captained Germany to three Davis Cup titles between 1988 and 1993.
“Sorry for this (the tears) but he was more than just a mentor and a coach, he was a part of my family to me and my brothers, I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today without him,” Djokovic said.
Novak Djokovic overcome by emotion. ATP
“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.
“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.”
The Telekom Center crowd in Athens offered constant support for the 38-year-old Serb during the match, who moved with his family to Athens earlier this year.
“It feels really like home playing in Athens,” Djokovic added. “More than recognition for my tennis achievements, I felt that people here approached me in a friendly and humane way, and that touched my heart.”
Djokovic had lost his past two encounters with the 28-year-old Tabilo and told the crowd:
“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.”
