Novak Djokovic breaks down after touching tribute to late coach

Novak Djokovic couldn't hold back the tears in an emotional moment in Athens. (ATP)

It was more than an ordinary victory for Novak Djokovic in Athens, as the 24-time major winner paid tribute to his former coach Nikola Pilic, who passed away earlier this year.

Djokovic, 38, eventually ran away with a straight sets win in his first round encounter at the Athens 250 event, downing Alejandro Tabilo 7-6(3), 6-1.

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In front of a packed Telekom Centre crowd, Djokovic invited friends and coaches from Pilic's academy to remember and celebrate his life.

During a video tribute on the stadium's big screen, it was enough to reduce Djokovic to tears.

"It was an emotional moment," Djokovic said. "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."

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He also touched on the emotional challenge of attending Pilic's funeral.

"It was a very, very difficult moment," Djokovic admitted. "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."

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