logo
Novak Djokovic becomes third man ever to win 100 ATP titles with victory over Hubert Hurkacz

Novak Djokovic becomes third man ever to win 100 ATP titles with victory over Hubert Hurkacz

Yahoo25-05-2025

Novak Djokovic became just the third man in the Open era to win 100 ATP singles titles on Saturday, defeating Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6 (7-2), 7-6 (7-2) in the final of the Geneva Open.
The 24-time grand slam winner joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men to have achieved the feat.
Advertisement
'I want to thank my wife and my kids for coming for three days only on the school break, cutting the school for one day, just to be with me,' Djokovic said in his on court interview.
'My team, the only thing I can say is thank you for being with me in the good times but also in the bad times. Today was very challenging to stay with me on the court because I was going off at you quite a lot … so I want to thank you for staying here and earning with me this victory number 100.'
Since claiming his 99th title when he won the gold medal in the men's singles at the 2024 Olympics in Paris eight months ago, Djokovic has endured a difficult run of form. He has particularly struggled on clay, recently exiting the Monte-Carlo Masters and Madrid Open in his first match of each tournament.
Djokovic became just the third man ever to win 100 ATP titles. - Valentin Flauraud/AFP/Getty Images
And for much of Saturday's match, it seemed as if the milestone would elude the Serb once again.
Advertisement
At 2-2 in the first set, he was unable to capitalize on two break points and that came back to haunt him when Hurkacz took the set thanks to a double fault from Djokovic in the 12th game.
But as the match progressed, Djokovic – who turned 38 on Thursday – showed the kind of resolute determination which appeared to have deserted him of late, breaking Hurkacz four times in a tiebreak after each player had held serve throughout the second set.
Having been broken by Hurkacz in the first game of the third set, it looked for a long time as though the win was slipping away from Djokovic again. But his quality came to the fore again, and he broke back to make it 4-4 before winning another tiebreak.
'I know it's a bitter taste in the mouth to lose the match like this,' Djokovic told Hurkacz in his on-court interview afterward. 'I think that you were definitely for most of the match, the better player.'
Advertisement
The victory means that, remarkably, the Serbian's 100th title comes against a player coached by Nicolas Massú, the Chilean former world No. 9 whom Djokovic beat to win his very first ATP title in 2006.
Djokovic will now turn his attention to the French Open, where he will be aiming to win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam. He faces American Mackenzie McDonald in the first round, which begins on Sunday.
For more CNN news and newsletters create an account at CNN.com

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Brian Priske returns to Sparta Prague as coach after a stint at Feyenoord
Brian Priske returns to Sparta Prague as coach after a stint at Feyenoord

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Brian Priske returns to Sparta Prague as coach after a stint at Feyenoord

FILE - Feyenoord's head coach Brian Priske gives instructions during a Champions League opening phase soccer match between SL Benfica and Feyenoord at the Luz stadium in Lisbon, Wednesday, Oct. 23, 2024. (AP Photo/Armando Franca, File) PRAGUE (AP) — Brian Priske has agreed to return to Sparta Prague on a multiple-year contract after a stint at Feyenoord, the Czech club said. Priske started at Sparta three years ago and immediately led the struggling team to its first title in nine years. He successfully defended the title last year and completed a double by winning the Czech Cup. Advertisement Under Priske, Sparta reached the round of 16 in the Europa League where it was eliminated by Liverpool in the 2023-24 season. Last summer, Sparta agreed to release Priske before the end of his contract to take over at Feyenoord when Arne Slot became the Liverpool manager. Priske led Feyenoord in 33 games in all competitions, won the Dutch Super Cup and advanced from the league phase of the Champions League but was fired in February due to inconsistent results in the domestic league. Priske replaces his former assistant Lars Friis, who was fired after Sparta's fourth-place finish in the Czech league. 'Now, I'm back with at least the same hunger as before — maybe even more,' Priske said. ___ AP soccer:

Randal Kolo Muani speaks out on Juventus future
Randal Kolo Muani speaks out on Juventus future

Yahoo

timean hour ago

  • Yahoo

Randal Kolo Muani speaks out on Juventus future

Whilst Randal Kolo Muani's (26) future remains unclear, his intentions do not. The forward was asked about his future after France's UEFA Nations League third-place play-off win over Germany on Sunday. Whilst there is significant uncertainty surrounding Kolo Muani's future, one thing is certain: he has no future at PSG. The former FC Nantes and Eintracht Frankfurt forward failed to convince Luis Enrique and was subsequently shipped out on loan to Juventus in the January transfer window. Advertisement The France international netted eight goals in 19 matches for Juventus, who in recent weeks have considered extending his stay in Turin, according to a report from L'Équipe in May. Speaking in a mixed zone interview, Kolo Muani confirmed that he would remain with Juventus for the upcoming FIFA Club World Cup. He then expressed his long-term wishes. 'I hope to continue there (Juventus). I am very happy at Juventus. They welcomed me well and I am enjoying myself. I am happy to have played a bit again, for club and for country,' said the Frenchman. L'Équipe understands that Juventus are looking to once again loan the former FC Nantes forward. PSG want a realistic buy option to be included in any deal. GFFN | Luke Entwistle

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store