The sights and sounds of Novak Djokovic's Athens triumph: "Playing here feels like home"

Novak Djokovic and the Hellenic Championship came full circle in the end. After his home tournament, the Serbia Open, moved from Belgrade to Athens, the former world No. 1 etched his name into the record books as the inaugural champion of the new ATP 250 event.

The final was everything Djokovic could have hoped for, as the top seed battled past second seed Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 and win the 101st title of his illustrious career.

Read more: Novak Djokovic has now won 101 career titles across 20 different countries and in 30 different cities

Spectacular championship match

Musetti, still fighting for a spot at the ATP Finals, came out sharp and confident. The Italian broke Djokovic’s serve in the fourth game with a stunning backhand winner down the line and went on to play a near-flawless opening set, filled with dazzling rallies, sealing it after 48 minutes.

The contest grew more dramatic as it unfolded. The crowd inside the nearly packed Telekom Center erupted when Djokovic stretched into a full split to finish a volley winner at the net. Musetti, however, remained composed—at least for a while. But Djokovic waited patiently for his chance and struck at the perfect moment.

In the eighth game, he broke Musetti’s serve for the first time with a spectacular display of defense and aggression, before closing out the second set to level the match. It proved to be the turning point.

Djokovic carried his momentum into the decider, earning another break in the third game and fending off a final surge from Musetti before sealing victory after two hours and 58 minutes of high-quality tennis—and with it, his first title in his new home city of Athens.

Happy champion at his “home” event

“I know that it is a tough feeling to lose such close matches. But Lorenzo’s level throughout the week was amazing,” Djokovic said during the on-court ceremony.

He went on to thank all who made the tournament possible, behind the scenes and in the stands.

“I would like to take the opportunity to thank the people in Athens, coming out and supporting this tournament, supporting tennis," he continued. "It’s the first tournament at this level here in over 30 years and the overall feeling after this week is that it has never left, that it was here every single year. Thank you, you were amazing. Playing here feels like home.

“I would also like to pay a special tribute to the organization. In combined efforts with the Government of Greece and all the authorities, this tournament happened in three months. That’s a very short time and many people won’t understand how challenging it is to organize this type of international tournament at this level. This was the perfect finale, the perfect ending. You guys showed that you have passion for tennis I hope that Athens will have a tradition in hosting international tournaments.”

"Ongoing" shoulder issue takes Djokovic out of ATP Finals

But one question remained to be answered: would Djokovic compete at the ATP Finals, or would he give up his spot in Turin to Musetti? In the end, it was the 23-year-old Italian who—somewhat reluctantly—let the cat out of the bag.

When asked during his press conference whether Djokovic had told him anything about his participation at the season finale, Musetti first looked down before smiling and replying: "He announced to me that he was not going.”

Read more: Lorenzo Musetti to make career debut at ATP Finals in Turin after Novak Djokovic withdraws

Later, Djokovic explained: “Unfortunately, my shoulder injury is an ongoing issue. I wanted to see how it goes and that’s why I didn’t make a call earlier. After yesterday’s match I was hoping that it would be better but before today’s match it was not great. When the medication effect goes away, I am not expecting great things. I didn’t feel like going to Torino with the required level of tennis, playing against the best in the world. I would have played the first match tomorrow and there is not enough time. Unfortunately, I am physically not able to play.

“It hurts me, as it’s the ATP Finals and I didn’t play last year. I love playing indoors and the passionate fans there are amazing. So, I am really sorry. But Musetti is in, and that’s the positive he can take from today. Hopefully I will have another shot next year to play there.”