Following a three-hour, six-minute rollercoaster championship match, 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic defeated world No. 31 Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6(2) 7-6(2), achieving a landmark career moment at the Gonet Geneva Open, where he claimed his 100th tournament at age 38 on Saturday.
Competing in his 143rd ATP final, the world number six fought back from a set down throughout a rollercoaster match in Geneva, the longest final in the tournament’s history, edging his opponent to clinch his first title since winning the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Assessing his performance, Djokovic said: “I was just trying to hang in there; “I don’t know how I broke his serve. 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.
“Incredible match, 7-6 in the third with a full stadium, beautiful atmosphere. I am just grateful to clinch the 100th here.”
The Road to No. 100th
On Saturday, the Serbian joined a select club of players that features Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103), becoming the third man to reach the century milestone in the Open Era.
Awarded a wild card to play at the event, following shocking early exits in Monte-Carlo and Madrid, Djokovic arrived in Geneva with low expectations, hoping at least to make it through the opening round.
In his pre-tournament press conference, he commented: “I am proud of everything I’ve achieved in my career, but I still have the desire to do everything I can to reach my best level, to win Grand Slam titles, and beat the best players in the world. That is why I am here in Geneva.”
The Belgrade-born, who raises his game in adversity, capitalized on his chances when it mattered the most, heading to his second final of the season, lost in Miami to Jakub Mensik.
Furthermore, across his campaign at the venue, Djokovic went from strength to strength, overcoming former world No. 8 Cameron Norrie - dropped his first set at the ATP 250 event, avenged his loss to Italian Matteo Arnaldi a month ago in Madrid and celebrated his birthday with a ticket to the semifinals.
Previously, the second seed beat Marton Fucsovics to record his first clay-court victory of the season.
Meanwhile, Hurkacz, 28, who underwent meniscus surgery last June, did not drop a set in four matches en route to the title contest on Centre Court at Parc des Eaux-Vives.
The sixth seed has been on a challenging comeback trail since getting injured while playing at Wimbledon.
Last November, he added eight-time Grand Slam champion Ivan Lendl and Olympic doubles gold medalist Nicolas Massu to his coaching team.
In February, the hard work began to pay dividends as he progressed into the semifinals in Rotterdam, losing to eventual champion Carlos Alcaraz.
After a series of mixed results, he recently found his groove on the red clay in Rome, advancing to the quarterfinals, but fell to in-form Tommy Paul.
During the trophy ceremony, the Polish player addressed the former world No. 1, saying: “It’s really inspiring how you present yourself on 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.
Saturday’s confidence boost result, achieved on the eve of Roland-Garros, could not have come at a better time for Djokovic, who will kick off his quest for a historic 25th major title next week in Paris.
He is seeded to clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a potential semifinal.
Hurkacz will launch his campaign at the French Open against 18-year-old sensation Joao Fonseca.