Novak Djokovic won the 100th ATP title of his career on Saturday afternoon, overcoming Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) at the Geneva Open. Djokovic came back from a set down and from a break down in the third to triumph after three hours and five minutes.
The 37-year-old Serb double-faulted down set point in the opener, but he was clutch the rest of the way. He dominated both of the ensuing tiebreakers, including the third after breaking Hurkacz at 4-3. A couple of loose errors from the world No. 31 brought up a break point, which Djokovic converted with a passing shot. The 24-time Grand Slam champion ultimately sustained that momentum through the finish line.
“I was just trying to hang in there, I don’t know how I broke his serve,” Djokovic explained. “He probably broke himself in the third when he was 4-3 up, but this is what happens at the highest level; very few points decide the winner. (It was an) incredible match, 7-6 in the third with a full stadium, beautiful atmosphere. I’m just grateful to clinch the 100th here.”
“My team, thank you–not only for being with me in the good times, but also in the bad times,” Djokovic said during the trophy ceremony. “Only you know how difficult it is to sustain this level of craziness from me on the court. I want to thank you for earning, together with me, this victory number 100.”
He is now third on the all-time titles list, trailing only Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
“Congrats to Novak, his family, and his team,” Hurkacz added. “One hundred [titles], it’s a lot. It’s really inspiring how you present yourself on the court (and) off the court. It’s just incredible what you have achieved, so congrats for that and for what you have done for the whole sport of tennis.”
Both Djokovic and Hurkacz now head to the French Open, where the big-serving Pole has a tough first-round matchup on his hands against Joao Fonseca.
nice one, Novak
Still a few to beat Connors record…