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Novak Djokovic marked his return to the court with a confident straight-sets victory over Alejandro Tabilo at the ATP tournament in Athens on Tuesday, delighting a crowd he described as making him feel “at home”.
Playing his first match in three weeks, the top seed overcame a tight opening set before racing away to a 7-6 (7/3), 6-1 win against the world number 89 in the round of 16. The result also gave the 38-year-old his first victory over the Chilean, who had defeated him in Rome last year and in Monte Carlo earlier this season.
“Coming up against Tabilo, who I hadn’t beaten before, I definitely felt more tension than usual,” Djokovic said afterwards. “I really tried to draw energy from the crowd. It feels like home, playing in Athens.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion has recently relocated to the Greek capital with his family, a move he says has strengthened a connection long shared between Serbia and Greece.
“A few months ago, when I arrived here with my family, I was very excited. I’ve always loved Greece. Serbs love Greece too —historically, culturally, and religiously; we are very closely linked. Athens is in my heart, without a doubt,” he added.
Djokovic, currently ranked world number five, secured his place in a 225th tour-level quarter-final with the win. He will next face either Portugal’s Nuno Borges for a place in the semi-finals.
After losing to Valentin Vacherot in the Shanghai Masters semi-final on 11 October, Djokovic opted to withdraw from the Paris Masters, which concluded on Sunday, to rest ahead of the end of the season.
