Djokovic wins against Tabilo for the first time, achieving an incredible record on the Tour

Novak Djokovic showed determination against Alejandro Tabilo - a player he had yet to defeat in his career at the 2025 Hellenic Championship.

Novak Djokovic impressively defeated Alejandro Tabilo 7-6, 6-1 in the opening round of the ATP 250 Hellenic Championship 2025 early morning on November 5th, Vietnam time.

Djokovic entered the match against Tabilo aiming to avoid a third consecutive loss to the Chilean player. In a tense first set, the Serbian player overcame pressure with his composure and experience, winning a thrilling tie-break to gain a favorable position.

After a first set lasting over an hour, Djokovic showed signs of physical strain, bending over and appearing in pain as the second set began. However, the Serbian quickly recovered, displaying energy and determination by dominating the set 6-1, winning 20 of the last 23 points in the match.

This win helped Nole reach the quarterfinals of the Hellenic Championships - the tournament’s inaugural edition - achieving an impressive milestone: reaching the top 8 players from 25 different countries over his career.

"Playing in Athens feels truly comfortable, like being at home.", Djokovic said after the match. "Serbians and Greeks share many similarities in history, culture, and religion. Athens is always close to my heart. Competing in front of the local crowd here is a great joy."

Djokovic admitted he was more nervous than usual facing Tabilo - a player he had never defeated before. However, the support from the Athens crowd energized the Grand Slam record-holder to deliver an impressive victory.

This victory is a positive sign following a long absence since the Shanghai Masters, where Nole was eliminated by champion Valentin Vacherot. Despite not being fully fit, his strong finish showed he is gradually returning and ready to pursue his 101st career title at the tournament co-owned by his family.

Currently, Djokovic lives in Athens with his wife Jelena and their two young children after recent events in his homeland Serbia. His special bond with the city fuels his strong determination, even though this is only an ATP 250 event.

Novak Djokovic’s opponent in the quarterfinals of this year’s Hellenic Championship will be Nuno Borges - the 6th seed who battled through three sets to defeat Eliot Spizzirri.

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