“I have no reaction right now, when you’re playing against Novak.. you just hope,” World No.44 Tomas Machac defeats Novak Djokovic in ATP 250 Geneva Semifinals

Machac taken aback by his triumph over the world number one

“I have no reaction right now, when you’re playing against Novak.. you just hope,” World No.44 Tomas Machac defeats Novak Djokovic in ATP 250 Geneva Semifinals

Tomas Machac defeated Novak Djokovic at the Geneva Open semi-final (Via IMAGO/X)

Novak Djokovic fails to cross the finish line yet again this year, as he goes down to world number 44 Tomas Machac in the Geneva Open semifinal. 

Djokovic became the oldest player ever to each this stage at Geneva, but it was the furthest he could get. Machac scored the biggest win of his career, triumphing 6-4 0-6 6-1 over the world number one. He will now face either Casper Ruud or Flavio Cobolli for the title.

During the post match interview, the Czech opened up about what it is like to face Djokovic and how one can only hope to to pull off a miraculous win.

FS Video

“I have no reaction right now. You just fight for every ball and hope when you’re playing against Novak.. you just hope.. you try to play your best and see what it looks like.” – Machac in post match interview

Djokovic accepted a last minute wildcard into this tournament in hopes of getting more match practice before the all important French Open. The Serb has been struggling with his form throughout the year and fans though things would change for the better in Geneva. Their expectations were met in the first two rounds, which Djokovic won easily against Yannick Hanfmann and Tallon Griekspoor.

Things look dire now as the loss against Machac is his second loss to a player outside the top 40 this year. In Indian Wells, Luca Nardi, who was ranked outside the top 100 at the time, defeated Djokovic in what may go down as the upset of the year. 

Despite these undesired results in the last few months, Djokovic remains a favorite to win the French Open as a Grand Slam is a different ballgame altogether.

[Related]: “He knows how to deal in the Slams,” Sam Querrey confident of Novak Djokovic being at his best at Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic’s position at the top is threatened after he fails to reach the Geneva Open final

Novak Djokovic has been on the top of the world tennis rankings for almost a year now, adding to his record extending tally of 428 weeks as the world number one. 

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic, Jannik Sinner (Image via Imago)

This reign of his seemed like it would persist even after the French Open if the Serb managed to win it. However, for this to have happened, he had to first make it to the final in Geneva, which he failed to do.

This provides Jannik Sinner, who is currently ranked 2 in the world, with a golden opportunity to take his place at the top by reaching the French Open final, even if Djokovic takes the title. By reaching the same round as Djokovic in the end, he is assured the number one spot.

In case you missed it!