WATCH: Emotional Laslo Djere dedicates ATP title to parents he lost to cancer

Laslo Djere capped off a brilliant run at the Rio Open with his maiden ATP Tour singles title and then delivered an amazing acceptance speech dedicated to his parents, whom he lost to cancer.
The Serb beat Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada 6-3, 7-5 in two hours to win the ATP World Tour 500 tournament.
A moment Laslo Djere will never forget 🏆#RioOpen pic.twitter.com/jXfA3g4SKG
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 24, 2019
There were six breaks of serve in the first set with Djere leading it 4-2, but he found himself behind early in the second set as the 18-year-old Auger-Aliassime broke in game one.
However, he was back on level terms five games later and then claimed the crucial break in game 12 as he won on his fifth match point.
The 23-year-old struggled during his speech as he dedicated it to his parents.
“I want to dedicated this trophy to my parents. I lost my mom seven years ago so I want to dedicate this one to her,” he said.
“And also to my dad, I lost him two months ago. My parents had the biggest impact on me and, because of them, I am who I am today. I hope they are watching me now.”
“I lost my mom seven years ago and I want to dedicate this one to her. And also to my dad, I lost him two months ago.”
❤️👏😭#RioOpen pic.twitter.com/yP2qcVNJyd
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) February 24, 2019
More from Tennis365:
-
-
Exclusive: Fed Cup stars could inspire rise of British women’s tennis, says Jeremy Bates
-
QUIZ! Can you identify these ATP 250 tournaments by logos alone?
-
-
Who is most likely to take a 2019 men’s Grand Slam from Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer?
-
Roger Federer the doubles player: Did you know he won a ‘bizarre’ title with Marat Safin?
-
Latest
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon day four: Iga Swiatek and Rafael Nadal battle on
Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady won on Thursday to keep the British flag flying.
-
Wimbledon
Alex De Minaur joins girlfriend Katie Boulter in Wimbledon third round
The 20-year-old won the first set on Court One but fell to a 5-7 7-6 (0) 6-2 6-3 defeat.
-
Wimbledon
Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon: ‘Every day is a challenge’
Rafael Nadal is prepared to grind his way into the second week at SW19.
-
News
Iga Swiatek made to sweat to progress at Wimbledon and extend streak
Karolina Pliskova was the big seed to exit the women’s draw on Thursday while Kirsten Flipkens bowed out.
-
Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios has the belief he can win Wimbledon
Nick Kyrgios believes in himself even if nobody else does.
-
Wimbledon
Exclusive – John Lloyd on the key reason for the stunning form of Katie Boulter and British players at Wimbledon
The stunning success of British players at Wimbledon contunued as Katie Boulter, Heather Watson and Liam Broady all won.
-
Wimbledon
Heather Watson ‘pretty relaxed’ as she looks to break new ground at Wimbledon
This is Heather Watson’s fourth time in the Wimbledon third round.
-
Wimbledon
Liam Broady hails ‘amazing feeling’ after beating Diego Schwartzman for biggest win of his career
The British No 5 lost 11 games in a row but fought back to down the 12th seed.
-
Wimbledon
Kyle Edmund set to end 18-month injury nightmare with Wimbledon mixed doubles appearance
The former world No 14 will play mixed doubles in SW19.
-
Wimbledon
Wimbledon Centre Court delight for Katie Boulter and home crowd as she upsets Karolina Pliskova
Katie Boulter reached the third round of Wimbledon for the first time in her career.