NOVAK DJOKOVIC broke down in tears on court as a poignant tribute was paid to his late former coach Nikola Pilic.
The Croatian, who began coaching Djokovic when the tennis superstar was just 12-years-old, died aged 86 in September.
Pilic, who himself achieved a world No6 ranking, set up his own academy post-retirement – with Djokovic referring to him as his “tennis father”.
The Serbian, 38, is taking part in the Hellenic Championship in Athens this week, an event at which his brother Djordje is tournament director.
Following Djokovic’s opening victory over Alejandro Tabilo, a tribute to Pilic appeared on screen.
A visibly distraught Djokovic was in floods of tears as he offered moving words about his former mentor.
The tennis veteran bravely fought through as he told the crowd: “I’m sorry. Pilic was more than just a mentor and a coach to me.
“He was a part of my family. And, to me and my brothers, he has helped so much. And I definitely wouldn’t be who I am today without him.
“He passed away a few months ago and I want to ask for your support and patience to give him respect and the tribute he deserves, the legend he is.”
At this point the crowd, which included Djokovic’s mother Dijana, applauded as he tearfully watched a tribute video to Pilic on the big screens.
When the clip finished it appeared that Djokovic would address fans again, but instead he turned away in floods of tears as the crowd supported him.
Later speaking to the ATP’s media team, the 24-time Grand Slam champion opened up on the moving scene.
Djokovic said: “‘For me, it was an emotional moment, considering what he meant to me and my family — privately, also professionally.
“He was my tennis father, as I like to call him, someone that has played a fundamental, integral role in my development as a tennis player and as a human being.
“It was really sad news when I heard that he passed away a few months ago.”
Pilic won nine singles titles during his playing career, in addition to the US Open’s men’s doubles tournament in 1970.
He was notably accused by Yugoslavia tennis officials of refusing to play a Davis Cup tie against New Zealand, an allegation he denied.
The International Tennis Federation subsequently banned Pilic, which caused him to miss Wimbledon in 1973.
Remarkably the stance saw 81 male players stand with their colleague by boycotting the Championships – including 12 of the top 16 seeds.
‘A VERY SPECIAL MAN’
Ironically Pilic would become synonymous with the Davis Cup post-retirement – becoming the first captain to lead three different nations to victory in the competition; Germany in 1988, 1989 and 1993, Croatia in 2005 and Djokovic’s Serbia in 2010.
In addition to Djokovic, Pilic also mentored the likes of Michael Stich and Ernests Gulbis at his tennis academy near Munich.
Djokovic attended Pilic’s funeral, and reflecting on the occasion said: “It was a very, very difficult moment. But on a brighter side, the legacy that he left behind on me, but also for this sport, is never going to fade away, never going to die.
“As long as I play tennis and as long as I live, I will celebrate his name.
“And tonight this was one of the moments of how to pay tribute and I’m sure in the near future — in the far future as well — people will learn about how Niki has impacted the world of tennis and the world of sport.
“He deserves it. He was a very special man.”
