GENEVA — Novak Djokovic made more tennis history Saturday, winning the 100th singles title of his career and his first in a city that is special to his family.
Djokovic finally reached the century mark after rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz, 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2), in a Geneva Open final that took more than three hours to complete. He lost his two previous finals since his 99th title win nine months ago at the Paris Olympics, an event held on the red clay of Roland Garros, which hosts the French Open beginning Sunday.
He joined Jimmy Connors, who won a record 109 singles tournament titles from 1972-89, and retired rival Roger Federer (103) as the only men with a century of tournament wins in the Open era for tennis.
The 100th followed a typically tough and hard-working match, two days after his 38th birthday and surrounded by his family in the Swiss city where some 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.”