Novak Djokovic in Athens: Why the Olympic tennis gold medallist is playing in Greece

Novak Djokovic in Athens: Why the Olympic Tennis Champion is Playing in Greece

Novak Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner and reigning Olympic gold medallist, is competing in his second-to-last tournament of the 2025 season in Athens. The event marks the city’s first ATP tournament since 1994, a fitting location for an athlete with deep Olympic ties.

Djokovic, who captured men’s singles gold at the Paris 2024 Olympics, has long expressed his admiration for the Games. Playing in Athens—the historic birthplace of the Olympics—was an opportunity he could not refuse.

After the US Open in September, Djokovic visited the Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympics in 1896. Now, at 38, he will finally compete in Athens during the 2025 Hellenic Championship, an ATP 250 event running from 2 to 8 November.

“I hope that you guys are as excited as I am and all the players to play in Athens, that has the ATP tournament back again after 30 years,” Djokovic said via the tournament’s social media. “There is a great excitement...this arena being one of the most famous basketball arenas in the world, home of Panathinaikos, one of the best clubs in Europe.”

“Such a historic venue, and it's a great honour and great pleasure to be here. I'm very excited to see you all fill up this amazing stadium and hopefully watch some world-class tennis.”

Author’s Summary

Djokovic’s return to Athens unites his Olympic spirit with Greek sporting history, marking a symbolic and emotional chapter in his enduring career.

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Olympics.com Olympics.com — 2025-11-03

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