Novak Djokovic reached a remarkable milestone by winning his 100th career title at the Geneva Open, defeating Hubert Hurkacz in a thrilling three-hour final with scores of 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2). This achievement places him among the elite in men’s tennis history, joining Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, who have 109 and 103 titles respectively. Djokovic is also the first player to win titles across 20 different seasons, underscoring his extraordinary longevity and consistency in the sport.
The final was a gripping encounter, showcasing Djokovic’s resilience and fighting spirit. After narrowly losing the first set, he found himself trailing in the decisive set, with Hurkacz serving strongly and yet to drop a point in that set by 4-2. However, as the pressure increased, Hurkacz’s forehand began to falter. Djokovic seized the moment, mounting a comeback that culminated in a tense final-set tiebreak, which he won emphatically to claim the trophy.
Djokovic’s journey to the 100th title was not straightforward. He entered the Geneva Open on short notice as a wildcard after a challenging clay-court season marked by early exits in Monte Carlo and Madrid. Following his defeat in Spain, he withdrew from the Italian Open and ended his coaching partnership with Andy Murray. Despite these setbacks, he managed to regain his rhythm in Geneva and produce a stellar performance when it counted most.
This victory was Djokovic’s first since winning gold at the Paris Olympics the previous year. It was especially sweet after near misses at other events where he came close to reaching the milestone but fell short, losing to Jannik Sinner in the Shanghai Masters final and Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final earlier this season.
With the French Open just days away, Djokovic’s focus now turns to the Grand Slam event where he faces Mackenzie McDonald in the opening round. The challenge for Djokovic will be to recover quickly from the demanding week in Geneva, both physically and mentally, to be ready for the clay battles ahead.
Meanwhile, fellow British player Emma Raducanu is working hard to regain full fitness ahead of her first-round match at the French Open. She has been managing back spasms that hampered her performance at the Strasbourg Open, where she lost to Danielle Collins. Raducanu has described the injury as less severe than a previous back problem she experienced in the off-season but admits that it has required careful treatment and management.
Raducanu has been diligent in her recovery, working with physiotherapists and utilizing heat treatments and needling therapy. She candidly shared her fear of needles, which was a significant hurdle at the start of the year when she needed treatment to be fit for the Australian Open. Overcoming this phobia, she has embraced the therapies as necessary steps to help her get back to full form.
Both Djokovic and Raducanu’s situations highlight the physical demands and challenges professional tennis players face, especially as the season intensifies. Djokovic’s milestone serves as a reminder of his remarkable career longevity and ability to perform under pressure, while Raducanu’s ongoing recovery showcases the dedication required to compete at the highest level despite injury setbacks.
As the French Open kicks off, all eyes will be on these two players Djokovic aiming to add to his record-breaking tally and Raducanu striving to bounce back and make a strong impression on the clay courts of Paris. Their stories exemplify the blend of talent, perseverance, and resilience that define elite tennis today.
