Novak Djokovic claimed his long-awaited 100th career title after producing a spectacular comeback to defeat Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in a three hour, five minute battle at the Geneva Open final. “Incredible match,” said Djokovic. “7-6 in the third with a full stadium, beautiful atmosphere, so I’m just grateful to clinch the 100th here.”
Djokovic becomes only the third man in the open era reach the landmark, a distinction achieved by Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103). He is also the first to win titles in 20 different seasons.
This victory marks Djokovic’s first title since his triumph at the Paris Olympics last year. He had two previous opportunities to become a centurion, losing tough matches to Jannik Sinner in the final of the Shanghai Masters last October and Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final this March.
Djokovic entered the Geneva Open, an ATP 250 event, at late notice with a wildcard after struggling throughout the clay court season with opening round losses at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open. After his defeat to Matteo Arnaldi in Spain, his third in a row, the 38-year-old pulled out of the Italian Open and ended his partnership with Andy Murray.
Although he found some form and rhythm in Geneva, Djokovic was second best for much of the final, narrowly losing the first set before trailing by a break from early the deciding set against Hurkacz. At 4-2 to Hurkacz in set three, the big-serving Pole still had not lost a point on serve in the set. As the pressure mounted, and Hurkacz’s forehand crumbled, Djokovic brilliantly turned the match around before closing out an emphatic final-set tiebreak.
Instead of celebrating another stellar achievement, Djokovic will have to immediately shift his focus to the French Open, which begins on Sunday. He will face Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in the first round, a match that is unlikely to take place until Tuesday. He must recover well physically after a hard week.
Meanwhile, Emma Raducanu says she is working hard to regain full fitness in time for her first-round match in Paris after struggling with back spasms at the Strasbourg Open against Danielle Collins. “It’s not feeling 100%,” said Raducanu. “I had a spasm in Strasbourg, and just been trying to manage it as best I can doing treatment. I’ve been on the practice court last night and this morning. It felt OK, but obviously it’s different playing a match. I’m trying to do everything to get up to speed as fast as possible.”
On Friday, Raducanu noted that this injury was a similar issue to the back injury that sidelined during the off-season in December.
“I would say the one before Australia was worse,” said Raducanu. “I feel like this one I kind of caught before it fully locked up. So I think the treatment is a lot of it with the physios, a lot of it with heat. Been doing some needling. At the start of the year I was so scared of needles. It was my biggest phobia. That was the only way I was going to be able to play Australia. Since then, I’ve been dipping my toes into it because I know it helps even though I’m really scared of them. That’s how I’ve been trying to manage it.”
