Novak Djokovic comment about life in Greece says it all after winning Athens title

Novak Djokovic said he feels "at home" in Greece after winning his first title in his new home country at the inaugural Hellenic Championship. The Serb beat Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling final that was just one minute short of three hours at the newly-created ATP 250 event. It comes just weeks after the 24-time Major winner moved his family from Belgrade in his home country of Serbia to Greece, which invited a smear campaign in his homeland.

Djokovic claimed his 101st ATP title with a 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 win and then an hour later pulled out of the ATP Finals due to injury. That means the runner-up Musetti will play at the year-end tournament in Turin instead. Alternatively, the 24-time Grand Slam champion will rest up at home - in his adopted Greece.

Djokovic told the ATP when asked how it feels to win a title in Athens: "Like at home. I love it! I want to thank everybody for coming out today and all week, supporting me and all the players. It's been amazing for everyone.

"Incredible. I don't know. Three hours of a gruelling match physically. Super demanding. Lorenzo played really well. It could have been anybody's match. Congrats to him for an amazing performance and I'm just very proud of myself to get through this one.

And he then added in his post-match speech on court: "I would like to now take the opportunity to thank the people of Greece, of Athens, for coming out and supporting the tournament, supporting tennis, supporting sport. This is the first time that Greece has this level of men's tennis tournament in more than 30 years.

"The overall feeling after this week, it felt like the tournament never left and was here every single year. You guys were amazing, honestly. Thank you so much. I would like to thank my team, my family. It has been a very special week for me because all my best friends and all of the closest people in my life are here in the stadium.

"I've said this before but I'm going to repeat it again - playing here and just being here feels like home. You guys make it like that for me. I would like to pay a special tribute and respect to the organisation of the tournament.

"In a combined effort with the government of Greece and all the authorities, this tournament happened in three months, four months, it was a very, very short time. Many people don't understand how challenging it is to organise this kind of international tournament at this level.

"This was a perfect finale, a perfect ending. You guys showed you have passion and love for tennis. I really hope that Athens will have a tradition in hosting big international tournaments."

Explaining why he moved from Serbia to Belgrade, the 38-year-old said earlier in the week to CNN Greece: "There's a lot of historical, religious, cultural, social ties between Greece and Serbia that is a big part of the reason why I'm here.

"It's also because, of course, the weather, the food is incredible. You are on one of the nicest coastlines in Europe, in the world. I just love the lifestyle. I really feel that the Greek and Serbian people are like brothers, and so this is the biggest reason.

"We are, as a family, trying to see how the life goes here, the experience. It's only been less than two months. So we will see how it goes, but so far, as I said, it's been a very positive experience.

"I want to thank all the Greek people that I met the last couple of months that I've been here in Athens with my family, that welcomed me and my family members with open arms.

"They've been super friendly, kind, generous, wanting to help, so it does feel like at home for me and my family members. So it's been a very positive experience. I love being here."