Novak Djokovic delivers emotional speech in new home country after uprooting family

Novak Djokovic delivered an emotional speech after getting the better of Alejandro Tabilo in his first ever professional tennis match in Greece. The 38-year-old defeated his opponent 7-6, 6-1 at the Hellenic Championship as he progressed to the 225th ATP quarter-final match of his career.

Djokovic moved to the Greek capital earlier this year as he and his family decided to relocate from Belgrade in Serbia. His children, Stefan and Tara, have already reportedly started school in Athens, with the family being spotted around the city. And Djokovic has even joined a local tennis club.

Djokovic will be eyeing silverware this week after entering the tournament, which is an ATP 250 event.

And following his victory over Tabilo, the 24-time Grand Slam champion explained: "It feels really at home, playing in Athens. A few months ago when I came here with my family, I was very excited because I have always loved Greece.

"Serbians love Greece, for sure. Historically, culturally and religiously, we have a lot of things connecting us. It was amazing to experience the great hospitality of the Greek people.

"More than the recognition for my tennis achievement, I feel people have approached me in the most friendly and humane way and that is something that has touched my heart. Athens is in my heart."

Following the speech, Djokovic took part in a presentation in memory of his former mentor Nikola Pilic, who died at the age of 87 in September.

Djokovic trained at Pilic's academy after being taken under the Croatian's wing when he was 10.

And the veteran tennis player once said: "Nikola is my tennis father. A mentor. A man who selflessly shared his knowledge and experience about tennis and life with me. Niki's lovely wife Mija and he welcomed me with open arms to their tennis academy in Germany and treated me like their own child."

Djokovic will take on either Nuno Borges or American qualifier Eliot Spizzirri in the last-eight in Athens.

And discussing his maiden victory in Greece, the blockbuster star added: "Playing against Tabilo, who I had never won against...

"We played two times on clay court, this year and last year and he won both of these matches. I was more under tension before the match than some other matches and I really tried to draw the energy from the crowd."

Djokovic will be joined in the quarter-finals by Sebastian Korda, who defeated Damir Dzumhur 4-6, 6-3, 6-3 earlier in the day.