Novak Djokovic has started a new chapter in his remarkable career- and in life- not in Belgrade, Monte Carlo, or Dubai, but in Athens, Greece. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, now 38, has officially moved his family from Serbia to the Greek capital, calling it “a new home filled with peace, love, and balance.”
The move marks a rare and deeply personal turning point for one of the sport’s fiercest competitors. Djokovic, who has long been open about his search for harmony between his intense career and family life, broke down in tears after winning his first match at the Hellenic Championship, an ATP 250 event newly relocated from Belgrade to Athens under his family’s organisation.
“It feels really at home, playing in Athens,” Djokovic said after defeating Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo 7-6, 6-1 in his tournament debut. “A few months ago, when I came here with my family, I was very excited because I have always loved Greece. The people here welcomed us with warmth and kindness- that has touched my heart deeply.”
Novak Djokovic: From Belgrade to the Aegean
According to sources close to the family, Djokovic’s wife, Jelena, and their two children- Stefan, 11, and Tara, 8- have enrolled in a private British-style school in Athens. The couple recently joined a local tennis club near Glyfada, on the Athens Riviera, where Djokovic trains and occasionally hits with his son.
The move comes amid what Serbian media described as a tense climate back home, following public criticism and political controversies involving President Aleksandar Vučić’s government. While Djokovic has not directly addressed those reports, he admitted that the relocation was inspired by a desire to “create the healthiest possible environment” for his children.
“The last two years brought a lot of changes in our private and professional lives,” Djokovic told Greek media outlet SDNA. “We didn’t plan this move long in advance, but life sometimes guides you where you need to be. For us, that place has become Greece- a country that gives us calm, simplicity, and time together as a family.”
Recharged in the Cradle of History
In Athens, Novak Djokovic has rediscovered a rhythm of life that seems far removed from the relentless grind of the tennis tour. Mornings with his family, training by the sea, and being surrounded by what he describes as “humane, generous people” have brought him a sense of grounding.
“More than recognition for my achievements, what matters to me now is how people approach me as a person,” he said. “Here in Greece, I’ve felt that connection in the most genuine way.”
That new balance appears to have revitalised the champion. Despite playing a lighter schedule this season, Djokovic reached the semifinals of all four Grand Slams and remains in the hunt for his 101st ATP title- inching closer to Roger Federer’s 103.
An Emotional Return to the Court
During his first-round match in Athens, the usually stoic Serb shed tears when the tournament paid tribute to Nikola Pilić, the late Croatian coach who mentored him as a teenager and helped shape his early career. The tribute- and the roar of the local crowd- reflected both his sporting legacy and the deep emotional bonds that have marked his journey.
“Nikola was like a second father to me,” Djokovic said. “To feel that moment here, in my new home, was overwhelming.”
Also Read: Tennis Players With $50 Million+ In Career Prize Money
Playing on His Own Terms
As Novak Djokovic continues to defy time and expectations, questions about retirement inevitably resurface. But his answer remains firm and full of conviction.
“I’ve earned the right to play as long as I want,” he smiled when asked in Athens. “Why should I stop if I’m still enjoying it? Let me play, let me enjoy myself- that’s what I tell people.”
And for now, Novak Djokovic seems to be doing just that: playing, living, and thriving- in a place that gives him peace.
