Novak Djokovic Breaks Down in Tears Paying Tribute to His ‘Tennis Father’
It’s not every day you see Novak Djokovic, the man who has practically turned winning Grand Slams into a casual weekend hobby, break down in tears on a tennis court. But after his second-round victory at the Hellenic Championships 2025 in Athens, that’s exactly what happened. And no, it wasn’t because he chipped a nail or got a bad line call. This was real, raw emotion.
Following his solid 7-6(3), 6-1 win over Alejandro Tabilo, the lights in the Telekom Center dimmed. Instead of the usual post-match replays of epic backhands, a heartfelt video tribute to the late Nikola Pilic filled the screens. For those who don’t know, Pilic wasn’t just some random coach in Djokovic’s long career; he was, in many ways, the architect of the legend. Pilic passed away in September at the age of 86, and the impact of his loss was written all over Djokovic’s face.
As the tribute played, the usually stoic champion couldn’t hold it together. Tears streamed down his face as he watched memories of his mentor, the man he called his “tennis father.” It was a rare glimpse behind the curtain of the relentless winning machine, reminding everyone that beneath the steely exterior is a human being who still feels loss deeply.
Why Was Nikola Pilic So Important to Djokovic?
So, who was this man who could bring the world’s greatest tennis player to tears? Nikola Pilic was a Croatian tennis legend in his own right, but his most profound legacy is arguably the academy he ran near Munich, Germany. At the tender age of 12, a young, scrawny Novak Djokovic left his home country to train there. It was a massive gamble for his family and a defining moment in his life.
Pilic saw something special in the kid. He didn’t just teach him how to hit a tennis ball; he took him under his wing, providing the mentorship and guidance that would shape Djokovic’s path to greatness.
“He was more than just a mentor and a coach to me,” Djokovic said, his voice cracking with emotion. “He was part of my family, to me and my brothers. He helped so much. I definitely wouldn’t be where I am today without him.”
You hear that a lot from athletes, the classic “I wouldn’t be here without them” line. But with Djokovic, you could feel he meant it. Leaving home at 12 to chase a dream is no small thing, and Pilic became a surrogate father figure. When Pilic passed away in September, Djokovic shared a gut-wrenching post on social media, saying, “A feeling of emptiness and sadness has taken over me.” This on-court tribute was just the public manifestation of a grief he’s been carrying for months.
Back to Business in Athens
Even with the heavy heart, Djokovic is still Djokovic. After composing himself, he even managed to charm the Greek crowd with a few words in their native language, because of course he did. The man is a master of winning hearts, even when his own is breaking.
The victory over Tabilo was a professional performance, even if the first set was a bit of a grind. Now, he’s set to face sixth-seed Nuno Borges in the quarterfinals. And while he’s the clear favorite to win this ATP 250 event, there are still some lingering questions about his participation in the ATP Finals. You know, just the usual end-of-season drama for a 24-time Grand Slam champion. Must be tough.
But for a few minutes in Athens, none of that mattered. The rankings, the upcoming matches, the endless GOAT debate—it all faded away. We just saw a man mourning a father figure, a poignant and powerful reminder that even legends are human.
