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

Novak Djokovic Competes in Athens for ATP Tournament

The 24-time Grand Slam champion is playing his penultimate tournament of the 2025 season in Athens, marking the return of an ATP event to the city for the first time since 1994.

An Olympic Champion Returns to the Birthplace of the Games

Djokovic, the Serbian tennis star who won the men’s singles gold medal at Paris 2024, has always shared a deep connection with the Olympic Games. The chance to play in Athens, the ancient birthplace of the Olympics, presented an opportunity he could not pass up.

Familiarity with Athens and Its Sporting Legacy

Since the US Open in September, Djokovic has been regularly visiting Athens, including a stop at the historic Panathenaic Stadium, the site of the first modern Olympic Games in 1896.

Competing in the 2025 Hellenic Championship

At 38 years old, Djokovic will take part in the 2025 Hellenic Championship, an ATP 250 tournament held from November 2 to 8. This marks his first time playing competitively in Athens.

“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.

He added,

“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

Novak Djokovic embraces his role as an Olympic champion by competing in Athens, merging sporting history with present-day tennis in a city central to the Olympic legacy.

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

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