Novak Djokovic secured his spot in the quarterfinals of the inaugural Hellenic Championship in Athens on Tuesday, defeating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 7-6 (3), 6-1 in a match that marked the return of top-tier ATP tennis to Greece after more than 30 years.
Playing in front of a supportive crowd at the Telekom Center in Athens, the top seed and local resident faced a challenging start. Both players held serve under pressure in the tight first set until Djokovic edged out the tiebreaker. The momentum decisively shifted in the second set, when the 38-year-old Serb broke Tabilo twice to complete the match in just over 90 minutes.
Djokovic’s win at the ATP 250 event was significant, as it was the first elite-level tennis tournament held in Greece since 1994. The victory secured his place in the quarterfinals and thrilled the Athenian crowd, which offered constant support for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
Djokovic: A warm welcome to his new home in Athens
Following his victory, Djokovic charmed the audience at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA) with heartfelt remarks about his new life in Greece. Having moved to Athens with his family two months ago, the world No. 1 expressed how much the city has come to mean to him.
He greeted fans in Greek, saying, “Kalispera, Ellada. S’agapo. Ti kaneis? Kala, kala!” (Good evening, Greece. I love you. How are you? I’m good, good!), which drew laughter as he admitted he is still learning the language.
Djokovic spoke affectionately about the deep connection between Serbs and Greeks, stating, “I really feel like I belong here. I’ve always loved Greece—all Serbs love Greece. Historically and culturally, we share so much.”
He praised the “amazing” hospitality he has experienced. In an on-court interview, he shared that the people have approached him in a “friendly and humane way,” which “touched my heart.”
He concluded by stating, “It feels really like home playing in Athens…Athens now has a place in my heart, no doubt about it.”
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