Novak Djokovic, fresh off securing the 101st title of his illustrious career at the 250-ranked Hellenic Championship in Athens, celebrated the milestone uniquely—though the triumph was quickly followed by disappointing news.
Djokovic and the Athens celebration
Two days after his grueling victory, the Serbian tennis player received his trophy and immersed himself in the history of Athens. His special celebration, designed to mark his 101 titles, involved a visit to the iconic Acropolis.
Djokovic uploaded two striking photographs to Instagram. In one, he is pictured with the majestic Temple of Athena Nike in the background, to which he humorously added a twist: digital images of Dalmatian dogs. The inventive addition was a nod to his “101” career titles.
The second photo featured the ancient Herodes Atticus theater behind him.
The grueling victory
The title itself was hard-won. Djokovic secured the 101st trophy by battling Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti in a fiercely contested final on Saturday. The Serb fought back from a set down in Athens to clinch the victory with a score of 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.
This victory marked the first elite-level tennis tournament held in Greece since 1994, thrilling the Athenian crowd, who offered constant support for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.
However, the triumph came at a high cost. The intense final exacerbated an “ongoing” shoulder injury. As a result, Djokovic was forced to withdraw from the ATP Finals in Turin, which were scheduled to begin on November 9.
Charming the crowd in Athens
Throughout the Hellenic Championships, Djokovic captivated the local audience at the Athens Olympic Sports Complex (OAKA). Having moved to Athens with his family just two months prior, the world No. 1 spoke with genuine warmth about his new life in Greece.
He charmed fans with an attempt at the local language, greeting them in Greek: “Kalispera, Ellada. S’agapo. Ti kaneis? Kala, kala!” (Good evening, Greece. I love you. How are you? I’m good, good!). His admission that he is still learning the language drew appreciative laughter from the crowd.
