On a quiet evening in a small Belgrade café, 24-year-old waitress Lily experienced a moment she’ll never forget. Unbeknownst to her, the polite and unassuming customer she served was none other than Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend with 24 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic, known for his humility off the court, enjoyed a modest meal without fanfare. When he left, he placed a folded check on the table with a subtle smile, a gesture that would soon bring Lily to tears.
Lily, a single mother struggling to make ends meet, had been working double shifts at the café to support her young daughter and cover mounting medical bills. She didn’t recognize Djokovic, who dined alone, casually dressed in a hoodie and sunglasses. He ordered a simple meal—grilled fish and vegetables, adhering to his strict gluten-free diet—and engaged in light conversation, asking about her day with genuine warmth. “He was so kind, but I had no idea who he was,” Lily later recalled.
When Lily cleared the table, she noticed the folded check. Expecting a standard tip, she opened it and found a sum that stunned her: €10,000, nearly a year’s worth of her wages. Tucked inside was a handwritten note from Djokovic: “For your kindness and smile. Keep shining. You’re stronger than you know.” Overwhelmed, Lily burst into tears, her hands trembling as she read the words. The café manager, witnessing her reaction, rushed over, equally shocked by the discovery.
The gesture was quintessential Djokovic, whose philanthropy through the Novak Djokovic Foundation has long supported underprivileged communities in Serbia. Sources close to the tennis star say he often performs quiet acts of generosity, especially in his home country, where he’s revered as a national hero. “Novak never forgets his roots,” a friend shared. “He knows what it’s like to face hardship, growing up in war-torn Serbia, and he looks for ways to give back.”
For Lily, the money was life-changing. It covered her daughter’s medical treatments and allowed her to enroll in a part-time nursing course, a dream she’d shelved due to financial constraints. “I couldn’t believe someone could be so generous,” she said in an interview with a local outlet. “His note made me feel seen, like my hard work mattered.” The story, initially shared by a coworker on social media, went viral, with fans praising Djokovic’s compassion.
Djokovic, who was in Belgrade after his French Open quarter-final win on June 2, 2025, hasn’t publicly commented on the incident. His actions align with his reputation for mindfulness and gratitude, traits he credits for his success. In a 2017 podcast, he spoke about finding joy in helping others, a value instilled during his childhood amidst Serbia’s challenges.
The café has since become a local attraction, with patrons hoping to catch a glimpse of Djokovic’s kindness. For Lily, the encounter was more than financial relief—it was a reminder of human connection. “I’ll never forget his words,” she said. “They gave me hope.” As Djokovic prepares for his next match, his legacy grows not just through tennis but through moments like these, proving his impact extends far beyond the court.
