Serbian tennis star, Novak Djokovic, has become the third man in history to win 100 ATP titles after defeating Poland’s Hubert Hurkacz in the final of the Geneva Open.
Djokovic, 38, battled hard to win the match on Saturday, May 24, in three sets: 5-7, 7-6 (7/2), 7-6 (7/2). The final lasted over three hours.
He now joins American legend Jimmy Connors and Swiss great Roger Federer as the only male players to reach 100 ATP tour titles.
“I had to work for it, that’s for sure,” Djokovic said after the match. “He was probably closer to the victory the entire match than me. I was just trying to hang in there… an incredible match, and I’m delighted to clinch the 100 here.”
This is Djokovic’s first title since winning Olympic gold against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer. It is also his first tournament victory since parting ways with his former coach, Andy Murray.
Before Geneva, Djokovic had struggled on clay this season, losing to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte Carlo and Matteo Arnaldi in Madrid. But he entered the smaller Geneva tournament to prepare for the French Open, which begins on Sunday, where he hopes to win his 25th Grand Slam title.
Hurkacz, a former world number six now ranked 31st, started strong and won the first set after breaking Djokovic’s serve late in the set. But Djokovic fought back with aces and powerful play in the tie-breaks to turn the match around.
The Polish player, who is still looking for his first title since April 2024, praised Djokovic, saying, “It’s really inspiring how you conduct yourself on and off the court.”
Djokovic will now begin his French Open campaign against American Mackenzie McDonald early next week, aiming to break more records in his already historic career.
