Djokovic Celebrates the Legacy of Nikola Pilic: ‘His Name Will Always Be Honored’
Serbian superstar reflects on a heartfelt tribute in Athens
November 04, 2025
Andrew Eichenholz/ATP Tour
Novak Djokovic alongside friends and fellow alumni of Nikola Pilic’s academy.
By Andrew Eichenholz
On a remarkable evening at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship, Novak Djokovic did more than secure another triumph; he paid tribute to the late Nikola Pilic, a coach whose influence was profoundly felt before his passing in September.
Gathering alongside friends and mentors from Pilic’s esteemed academy—Petar Basic, Lado Chikhladze, Ana Jovanovic, Oliver Poturicek, Peter Shuster, and Kostas Zaraklanis—Djokovic moved a packed audience in Athens as a touching video homage played on the big screen.
“It was an emotional moment,” Djokovic shared with ATPTour.com. “What he represented to me and my family—both personally and professionally—was immense. I affectionately refer to him as my tennis father, a figure who played a vital role in shaping my growth as a player and as a person. Hearing about his passing hit hard.”
Djokovic’s attendance at Pilic’s funeral marked a poignant first for him, and the overwhelming feelings from that day serve as a testament to Pilic’s lasting impact on the Serbian and many others.
“It was an extraordinarily challenging moment,” Djokovic recalled. “Yet, on a positive note, the legacy he left, both for me and for this sport, will always endure, never to fade or be forgotten.
“As long as I continue playing tennis and breathe, I will honor his name. Tonight was just one way to pay tribute, and I’m confident that in the years to come—both near and far—people will come to understand the profound effect Niki had on tennis and sports at large. He truly was an extraordinary individual.”
