Novak Djokovic Delivers Classy Speech to Emotional Hubert Hurkacz After Geneva Open Final

Novak Djokovic edged a titanic affair against Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 in the Geneva Open final.

Novak Djokovic Delivers Classy Speech to Emotional Hubert Hurkacz After Geneva Open Final

Hubert Hurkacz and Novak Djokovic (via X)

Novak Djokovic reached an emotional milestone at the Gonet Geneva Open on Saturday. After his win, he comforted a tearful Hubert Hurkacz, acknowledging the Pole’s courage and recovery from a meniscus injury—something Djokovic himself experienced after Roland Garros last year.

The Serb praised Hurkacz’s level and resilience, showing great sportsmanship. It was a touching moment between two players who had both battled through injury setbacks to return to the top of the game. Novak Djokovic said in his post-match ceremony:

I know it’s hard to lose a match like that, I’m sorry for you. I have to congratulate you on the quality of your tennis all week long. Congratulations to your team, to Nico (Nicolas Massu, Hurkacz’s coach), I’m happy to see you, my friend. I know how it feels to have a knee injury and you quickly returned to a very high level. I wish you the best in Paris and London. You’re a great player but the whole tour knows you’re a great person.

Djokovic went on to win the final 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) after a tense three-hour battle. He came back from 2-4 down in the deciding set to secure his 100th career title, making history once again. Before this, Djokovic had been stuck at 99 titles. He came close twice, losing to Jannik Sinner in Shanghai and Jakub Mensik in Miami. Geneva finally gave him the breakthrough he had been chasing for months.

How Novak Djokovic edged Hubert Hurkacz in the Geneva Open final

Both players showed nerves early in the match. Novak Djokovic hit a double fault on set point in the first set but responded with his trademark fighting spirit. Hubert Hurkacz stayed strong on serve in the deciding set, not dropping a point in his first three games.

Novak Djokovic and Hubert Hurkacz
Novak Djokovic and Hubert Hurkacz (via X)

Despite Hurkacz’s momentum, Djokovic stayed calm. The Serbian had already beaten him seven times before and knew how to handle pressure. He waited for the right moment to strike. That moment came with Hurkacz leading 4-3 in the final set. The Pole made a few crucial errors, including a missed forehand and a double fault. Djokovic then produced a brilliant passing shot to break back.

Hurkacz had battled back from knee surgery the year before and had reached a career-high ranking soon after. He was chasing his ninth ATP title and a second on clay. But Djokovic’s resilience denied him the win in a dramatic turnaround.

Novak Djokovic’s Roland Garros draw analyzed

There are many positives and negatives regarding Novak Djokovic’s draw at Roland Garros. To start with the positives, he won’t play either Carlos Alcaraz or Jannik Sinner before the semifinals.

Novak Djokovic (2)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X/Jose Morgado)

Now onto the negatives, he might have to go against both of these guys to win the title. It was guaranteed the day Alcaraz got to the World No.2 ranking after the Italian Open win. Moreover, he was unable to get a top 4 seed for Roland Garros after opening round losses at Monte Carlo and Madrid.

Djokovic will have to go through another former World No.1 Daniil Medvedev in the fourth round of Roland Garros. The Russian hasn’t had the best of results recently, as he has not won an ATP title in over 18 months. However, he is still a force on whatever surface he plays.

Djokovic is looking for a 25th Grand Slam title, which will put him ahead of Margaret Court for most Grand Slam titles in history. With the Geneva Open win, he will have a new-found confidence going into the Paris slam.

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