Đoković receives hero's welcome from 100,000 Serbians

The space in front of the Serbian parliament in Belgrade tonight filled with over 100,000 people who welcomed the country's sporting hero, Novak Djokovic. The freshly crowned Wimbledon champion traveled to his hometown a day after he made history as the first Serb man to win the Grand Slam tournament, and on the day he officially became the world's best tennis player, according to the ATP rankings. Djokovic receives hero's welcome from 100,000 Serbians Addressing the sea of people who celebrated with music from pop bands and fireworks, Djokovic thanked them for turning out, and dedicated the trophy which he brought with him on stage to his fans, and to Serbia. "This is incredible," he addressed the crowd which welcomed him on stage by waving Sebian flags, lighting flares and interrupting the speech by chanting his name. "Thank you all for coming here tonight to welcome me. I am indebted to you forever. I will never forget this, and I dedicate the Wimbledon trophy to you and to Serbia." The Serbian Army Guards Orchestra was in front of the Serbian parliament to perform the national anthem. Djokovic, who's family is from Kosovo, received a gift from the Serb children in the province: a 50-meter-long Serbian national flag. He introduced members of his team and family, who he said were with him in the past 20 years as he worked to achieve his dream. Before he addressed his fans, Djokovic met with Parliament Speaker Slavica Djukic-Dejanovic, who organized a reception in his honor. "Novak, thank you, you have made us extremely happy. We are proud of you and wish you many more titles and a long time as the world's best," she said. Djokovic landed at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport around 19:30 CET, welcomed by several hundred fans and numerous media crews. He arrived in front of the parliament building in an open bus that was cheered along its route by tens of thousands of Belgraders lining the roads. A huge traffic jam was reported on the highway leading from the airport to the city. see more photos After arriving in Belgrade this evening, the 24-year-old told reporters that he was happy to celebrate his Wimbledon title and the ATP number one spot with his people. "I'm glad I've arrived in the country to celebrate the biggest success of my career with my people," Djokovic said at the Belgrade airport. "These are the best days of my career. The feeling is incredible, although I've still not had time to sit down and analyze the success I've achieved," he continued, and appraised the Wimbledon final - when he defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain - as the best match of his career thus far. Celebrations and euphoria have been ongoing in Serbia since Djokovic clinched his Wimbledon victory on Sunday. In downtown Belgrade, many cars are seen decorated with national flags and banners reading, "Nole you're a winner". Novak Djokovic in Belgrade this evening (Tanjug)

Đoković receives hero's welcome from 100,000 Serbians

Addressing the sea of people who celebrated with music from pop bands and fireworks, Đoković thanked them for turning out, and dedicated the trophy which he brought with him on stage to his fans, and to Serbia.

"This is incredible," he addressed the crowd which welcomed him on stage by waving Sebian flags, lighting flares and interrupting the speech by chanting his name.

"Thank you all for coming here tonight to welcome me. I am indebted to you forever. I will never forget this, and I dedicate the Wimbledon trophy to you and to Serbia."

The Serbian Army Guards Orchestra was in front of the Serbian parliament to perform the national anthem.

Đoković, who's family is from Kosovo, received a gift from the Serb children in the province: a 50-meter-long Serbian national flag.

He introduced members of his team and family, who he said were with him in the past 20 years as he worked to achieve his dream.

Before he addressed his fans, Đoković met with Parliament Speaker Slavica Đukić-Dejanović, who organized a reception in his honor.

"Novak, thank you, you have made us extremely happy. We are proud of you and wish you many more titles and a long time as the world's best," she said.

Đoković landed at Belgrade's Nikola Tesla Airport around 19:30 CET, welcomed by several hundred fans and numerous media crews.

He arrived in front of the parliament building in an open bus that was cheered along its route by tens of thousands of Belgraders lining the roads.

A huge traffic jam was reported on the highway leading from the airport to the city.

see more photos

After arriving in Belgrade this evening, the 24-year-old told reporters that he was happy to celebrate his Wimbledon title and the ATP number one spot with his people.

"I'm glad I've arrived in the country to celebrate the biggest success of my career with my people," Đoković said at the Belgrade airport.

"These are the best days of my career. The feeling is incredible, although I've still not had time to sit down and analyze the success I've achieved," he continued, and appraised the Wimbledon final - when he defeated Rafael Nadal of Spain - as the best match of his career thus far.

Celebrations and euphoria have been ongoing in Serbia since Đoković clinched his Wimbledon victory on Sunday.

In downtown Belgrade, many cars are seen decorated with national flags and banners reading, "Nole you're a winner".