Novak Djokovic won his 100th Tour Trophy on Saturday at Gonet Geneva Open, fighting in front of Hubert Hurkacz in a dramatic final. The Serbian star came from behind to win 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in what turned out to be the longest match in the tournament, lasting three hours and five minutes, in accordance with the ATP Tour. “I had to work for that, for sure. Hubi was probably closer to the victory (in) all the match than me,” said Djokovic, quoted by the ATP Tour.
“I had a few chances in the first set to break its service, then I had a bad match that ended up with the double fault on the set point,” he added.
“I was just trying to hang on to it, I don’t know how I broke the service. He probably broke in the third, when he had 4-3, but that’s what happens at the highest level. Very few points decide the winner. An incredible match, 7-6 in the third with a full stadium, he had a good atmosphere. I’m just grateful to win the 100th.”
Djokovic dragged 2-4 in the final set, but deeply dug to turn the match, showing the resilience for which he is known. This victory only makes him the third man in the open era to reach 100 trophies at the tour, joining the legends Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103). His first title returned in 2006, when he beat Hurkacz’s current coach Nicolas Massu.
It is also the first title of Djokovic since his victory for the gold medal at the Paris Olympic Games last year. With this victory, he became the first man in the era open to win a title in 20 different seasons. At 38, he is also the oldest player to win the Geneva tournament.
The match was full of tense moments. Djokovic even doubled on the section point in the first set, showing the nerves. Hurkacz started hard in the final set, without leaving a point in his first three service games, but Djokovic held his nerve and continued to fight.
The turning point came in the eighth match of the third set when Hurkacz, leading 4-3, made several errors, including a double fault. Djokovic took advantage of it and broke with a brilliant pass.
Hurkacz, who underwent meniscus surgery last July, aimed at his ninth title ATP and second on Clay. But despite his high performance, he could not prevent Djokovic from finishing a remarkable return and sealing another historic step of his career.
“Congratulations to Novak, his family and his team. A hundred (titles), it’s a lot,” said Hurkacz.
“It’s really inspiring how you show up on the field, out of the field. It’s just incredible what you have accomplished, so congratulations on that and for what you have done for all tennis sport,” he added.
(This story has not been published by NDTV staff and is automatically generated from a unionized flow.)
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