Nikola Pilic was touched by the wonderful gesture Novak Djokovic did at the Serbia Open as he called the Serb as “the greatest player of all time.” Pilic, one of the first coaches to work with Djokovic, took part in a special ceremony that took place after the Serbia Open final in Belgrade.
While Pilic was making his way onto the court, Djokovic called him his “tennis father” and gave him a strong hug. Also, Djokovic handed Pilic a gift box, showing the appreciation and respect he has for his former coach.
“I do not know what to say. It is a great honor to be here. One small correction, he is not one of the greatest of all time, he is the greatest of all time. In the competition of Federer, Nadal, Murray and company, 366 weeks to be number one, that is more than seven years,” Pilic said.
“In my humble conviction, it may take 1,000 years for that record to be broken.”
Pilic on Djokovic: The best player of all time and a great man
“I don’t understand why I can’t speak normally. I am attached to Novak Djokovic and I wish him all the best.
For me, I’m not subjective, he’s the best player of all time. I have to say one more thing – Srdjan and I always thought he would be a great champion,” Pilic said. “He was, he stayed, but the most important thing is that he is a great man.”
Also, Pilic took a moment to show his gratitude to Djokovic’s parents. “Srdjan and Dijana Djokovic treated my wife and me as a family. I want to say one thing … When you are 80 years old, your emotions are even greater,” Pilic said.
“I have 60 years of experience and this is one of the best audiences I have ever seen in my life. One more sentence – you can be proud that there is one in this country like Novak Djokovic.”
