Novak Djokovic Jokes ‘Smashing Racket’ Against Matteo Arnaldi Helped Him Reach Geneva Open Semifinals

Novak Djokovic knocked out Matteo Arnaldi to set up the Geneva Open semifinal match against Britain's Cameron Norrie.

Novak Djokovic Jokes ‘Smashing Racket’ Against Matteo Arnaldi Helped Him Reach Geneva Open Semifinals

Matteo Arnaldi, Novak Djokovic (Image via X/ATP Tour, Novak Djokovic)

Novak Djokovic took his revenge on Matteo Arnaldi on his 38th birthday. A lot of things happened during the match. Even though the scoreline read 6-4, 6-4, Djokovic struggled a bit to clinch the victory.

After winning the first set when he was 1-2 in the second in the quarterfinals, a backhand shot went outside, after which Djokovic started to smash his racket. The Italian ace then took a 4-1 lead in the second set but Djokovic, who also seemed to have hurt his knee, clinched five consecutive games, ending the game in an hour and 40 minutes and reaching the second consecutive semifinals in the ATP 250 tournament in the Swiss city.

Yeah, I was 4-1 down in the second and somehow, I don’t know, after that racket breaking (smiling), I didn’t lose the game and kind of found my, I guess, optimal state and balance mentally and emotionally to really be able to play the best tennis when it was most needed.

Novak Djokovic said during his on-court interview

It was Arnaldi who was the reason behind his exit in Madrid last month (his second consecutive defeat on clay as he also lost the Monte Carlo Masters opening round to Alejandro Tabilo). Djokovic has now leveled his head-to-head record over Arnaldi to 1-1.

His next opponent is Britain’s Cameron Norrie, who has not yet clinched a win in his four clashes with the 24-time Grand Slam champion. Before setting up the match against Djokovic, Norrie knocked out fifth seed Alexei Popyrin in the quarterfinal and Tomas Machac in the fourth round. It was Machac who had ended Nole’s campaign in the semifinals of last year’s Geneva Open.

Djokovic is now two games shy of capturing his 100th ATP title, which has eluded him since the 2024 Paris Olympics. Since that victory in the final over World No.2 Carlos Alcaraz, the Serbian great advanced to just two finals, in Shanghai last year and Miami this year, losing both, to World No.1 Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik. If he wins the title, he will become the third man after Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103) to claim 100 or more singles titles.

Alex Corretja says Novak Djokovic needs to find his motivation or else nothing can help him

Novak Djokovic hired his longtime rival Andy Murray last year, but the partnership did not last for more than six months. When the recently concluded Italian Open was underway, he announced that he will be entering the Roland Garros without Murray by his side.

Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2025
Novak Djokovic (via X/We Love Tennis)

Former ATP player Alex Corretja thinks what Djokovic needs at this stage of his career is motivation and no one, including other greats of the game, could give him if they join his team as his coach. Corretja told TNT Sports:

It’s not a matter of Andy Murray or bringing in Andre Agassi or Pete Sampras or Rafa Nadal or Roger Federer. It’s about Novak Djokovic’s feelings. That’s why I think he needs to keep on going, searching inside again, and see what he feels he can still achieve.

Corretja also thinks that in this season, Djokovic has to win a big title to find his motivation and continue playing. The French Open draw is out and Djokovic and Jannik Sinner are in the same half, meaning they are projected to meet in the semifinal. Djokovic has reached just one final since winning his historic 24th Major at the 2023 US Open.

That lone final was at the 2024 Wimbledon, which he lost to Carlos Alcaraz in straight sets. At the French Open last year, the 38-year-old was forced to withdraw from the quarterfinals due to an injury.

Also read: Rafael Nadal Claims French Open Crowd ‘Wanted Roger Federer to Win’ Ahead of Tribute Ceremony in Paris