Tennis champion, Novak Djokovic, broke down in tears after being given a hero’s welcome in Serbia following his US Open triumph.
The 36-year-old beat Daniil Medvedev in straight sets in New York on Sunday to bring up his 24th Grand Slam singles title.
In doing so, Djokovic has equalled Margaret Court’s of 24 Grand Slam singles titles, while his success at Flushing Meadows was his third major of 2023.
He could have completed a calendar Grand Slam had it not been for his defeat to Carlos Alcaraz in the Wimbledon final.
And his emotions got the better of him upon his return to his native Serbia, as he welled up after being serenaded by his adoring supporters.
Djokovic was joined on the balcony of the Old Palace in Belgrade by Serbia’s national basketball team, who claimed the silver medal at the 2023 FIBA Basketball World Cup.
Issuing a speech to the raucous crowd, Djokovic had to be comforted by fellow Serbian athlete Nikola Milutinov.
He said: “There are rare moments when I am speechless, and this is one of them. This is a childhood dream come true for me.
“Like many of my generation, I was there to relish the previous successes of various sports teams, including water polo and basketball.
“This is a great honour for me; this is priceless, and this feeling will never happen again.
The 36-year-old has won three Grand Slam titles in 2023
“I stand here with great athletes and, above all, good people with whom I have a good connection.
“I told them a little while ago that I also felt their harmony and that moment of humanity.”
Djokovic finished his speech by saying: “I want to conclude with this sentence, no sporting nation in the world has this spirit we have. Long live Serbia!”
