"Nole" Praises Greece: "I Feel Like I'm Home!"
Newsroom
Athens, Greece – The world's top tennis player, Novak Djokovic, added yet another title to his legendary collection, winning the inaugural Hellenic Championship ATP 250 at the Telekom Athens Center. Following a thrilling final where he defeated Lorenzo Musetti 2-1 in sets, "Nole" did not hide his emotion and dedicated his victory to the Greek people, confirming in the most celebratory way the special relationship he has developed with Greece, a country he now calls home.
After the match concluded, and in front of an ecstatic crowd that cheered him throughout the tournament, the Serbian superstar spoke with the warmest words about his experience in Athens, mixing Greek with English in his statements.
"I want to thank the people of Greece and Athens, who came out and supported the tournament, supported tennis, supported sport," Djokovic stated initially. "You guys were amazing, honestly, thank you so much."
The Dedication, the Emotion, and the Message in Greek
Novak Djokovic dedicated his victory to the Greek people, emphasizing that their support makes him feel at home, especially now that Athens is his new permanent base.
"S' agapó Elláda, efharistó polý! (I love you Greece, thank you very much!)" – His phrase in Greek caused an "earthquake" of excitement in the stands, with the crowd erupting in prolonged applause.
"I dedicate this win to the wonderful people of Greece. You support me, you support tennis, and you've made me feel at home 🙏🏼," he later posted on social media.
His 101st career title, as he explained, was "very special" because he had his family and his closest people by his side, making the atmosphere even more emotional and personal.
The "Home" in Athens and the Serb-Greek Ties
The victory at the Hellenic Championship acquired extra symbolic significance for Novak Djokovic, as it came just weeks after his family relocated to Athens.
"Nole" explained that the decision to move to Greece was based on the strong ties between the two nations: "There's a lot of historical, religious, cultural, and social ties between Greece and Serbia. That’s a big part of the reason why I’m here. I really feel that the Greek and Serbian people are like brothers."
Furthermore, he referred to the country's beauty: "The weather, the food, the coastline – it's one of the nicest in Europe, in the world. I just love the lifestyle. Playing here and just being here feels like home."
The Serbian champion also praised the organization, highlighting how challenging it was to set up a tournament of this level in just three to four months, expressing his wish for Athens to establish a tradition of hosting international tennis tournaments.
This victory is not just another trophy. It is a confirmation of Novak Djokovic's love for Greece and a powerful message for the resurgence of top-level tennis in the country after more than 30 years.
The Hellenic Championship final marked the 101st career title for Djokovic, who with this win became the third player in the sport's history to surpass 100 titles, following Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer.
