Novak Djokovic issues a brief statement as he makes more tennis history by claiming a 100th career singles title

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Djokovic made more tennis history by claiming a 100th career singles title on Saturday, and lifting his first trophy in a city that his family considers special.

Novak Djokovic finally reached the championship century-mark after beating Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) in more than three hours to win the Geneva Open. The Serbian had lost his two previous finals after claiming a landmark 99th title nine months ago at Roland-Garros during the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics.

The 24-time Grand Slam champion joined tennis legends Jimmy Connors, who holds the record with 109 titles, and Roger Federer with 103 as the only men to win at least 100 tournaments in the Open Era.

Djokovic’s century-clincher came in a typically tough and hard-fought match just two days after his 38th birthday, as the stands were filled with family members in the Swiss city where a number of his relatives reside.

“I’m just grateful to clinch the 100 here,” Djokovic said in an on-court interview. “I had to work for it, that is for sure.”

His wife and children joined him in Geneva to celebrate his birthday after cutting a day off school, he quipped, while also revealing another reason for accepting a late wild-card entry into the last clay-court warmup for the French Open.

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

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 at Roland-Garros on Monday against Mackenzie McDonald of the USA.

Novak wrapped up the title in Geneva with an ace down the middle to complete a surge to victory, after breaking Hurkacz’s serve for the first time while trailing 4-3 in the deciding set. Djokovic converted that break-point chance with a cross-court forehand winner, following a move to the net on his Polish opponent’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.”

The Belgrade native 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 victory also took place on clay, at Amersfoort in the Netherlands, against Nicolás Massu – the Chilean great 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 the winner during the on-court awards ceremony.

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

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