Novak notches new career milestone

Novak Djokovic made more tennis history by winning a 100th career singles title on Saturday, and his first in a city that is special to his family.

Djokovic finally reached his century after rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in more than three hours in the Geneva Open final. Since bagging his 99th title win nine months ago at the Paris Olympics, he had lost the two previous finals he had appeared in.

He joins tennis greats Jimmy Connors, who has a record 109 titles, and Roger Federer on 103 as the only men with a century of tournament wins in the Open era.

The 100th followed a typically tough match where he had to work hard for the win, two days after his 38th birthday and surrounded by his family in the Swiss city where some of his relatives reside.

"I'm just grateful to clinch the 100 here," Djokovic said afterward. "I had to work for it, that is for sure."

His wife and children joined him in Geneva to celebrate his birthday after taking a day off from school, Djokovic quipped, also revealing another reason why he grabbed a late wild-card entry into the last clay-court warm-up tournament before the French Open.

The lakeside city is home to a much-loved aunt, uncle and cousins, including one who recently gave birth to a baby the Djokovics really wanted to meet.

"I was just trying to hang in there. This is what happens at this level. A few points decide it. An incredible match, and I'm delighted to clinch the 100 here."

It was the former world No 1's first tournament triumph since winning the Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer.

Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters, respectively.

The three-time French Open champion now heads back to Paris looking to add to his 24 Grand Slam singles titles. He has a first-round match on Monday against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States.

Winner in 20 seasons

The Serb won with an ace down the middle, completing a surge to victory after breaking Hurkacz's serve for the first time while trailing 4-3 in the deciding set. Djokovic took that break-point chance with a forehand cross-court winner, advancing to the net on Hurkacz's sliced half-volley.

"Hubert was probably closer to the victory the entire match than I was," Djokovic said. "I don't know how I broke his serve."

He is the first man in the Open era to win a title in 20 different seasons.

Djokovic's 100th singles title came nearly 19 years after his first in July 2006. That was also on clay, at Amersfoort in the Netherlands, against Nicolas Massu — the Chilean who now coaches Hurkacz.

"It's really inspiring how you present yourself on the court, off the court. It's just really incredible what you have achieved," Hurkacz said to Djokovic during the on-court trophy presentation.

Djokovic collected his trophy in front of three golden balloons tethered to the court spelling out 1-0-0.

Geneva desperate

Since his Olympic title, he had lost finals at the Shanghai Masters to Jannik Sinner last year, and the Miami Masters to Jakub Mensik in March.

Djokovic got much more than the match practice he came to Geneva for. Throughout April, he had fallen to quick exits from the previous tournaments he entered during the European clay-court season, at Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Djokovic had break-point chances early in the first two sets and did not take them. At 2-2 in the first set, Hurkacz saved the second of back-to-back chances with a powerful service winner.

Hurkacz clinched the first set with his only break-point chance when Djokovic double-faulted.

In the opening game of the second set, Hurkacz saved Djokovic's next chance with an overhead winner at the net. In the tiebreaker, Djokovic dominated to force the decider.

Hurkacz immediately broke serve again to lead the third set. He got the chance when a low bouncing ball dived under Djokovic's racket, and took it when the second-seeded Serb sent a forehand too long.

Agencies