Novak Djokovic won his 101st career title in a thrilling three‑hour final at the Hellenic Championship in Athens. The 38‑year‑old Serbian beat Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti 4‑6, 6‑3, 7‑5, earning his 72nd hard‑court tour‑level victory and moving him one step closer to overtaking Roger Federer for the most titles in the Open Era.
The match was a rollercoaster, especially the final set, which saw 13 break points and five service breaks. Both players pushed themselves to the limits, but Musetti was left heartbroken after a sixth straight final loss. He has already won two titles, Hamburg and Naples, in 2022.
“I dedicate this win to the wonderful people of Greece,” Djokovic said on Instagram. “You support me, you support tennis, and you’ve made me feel at home. A win that feels even more special with my family here. Huge gratitude to everyone who made this new tournament so special.” He added, “To Musetti, what an epic battle. Congratulations on an incredible performance and tournament. Keep it going, your future is bright.”
Musetti needed a title to secure a spot among the Nitto ATP Finals qualifiers, overtaking Felix Auger‑Aliassime. When Djokovic withdrew later on Saturday, the Italians automatically took his place and will compete at the season finale for the first time.
“I was really looking forward to competing in Turin and giving my best, but after today’s final in Athens, I’m sad to share that I need to withdraw because of an ongoing injury,” Djokovic said in a brief statement. “I truly apologize to the fans who were hoping to see me play – your support means so much. I wish all the players an amazing tournament and I can’t wait to be back on the court with you all soon!”
The hard‑court victory marks another milestone for Djokovic and sets the stage for a dramatic season finale in Turin.
Source: ianslive
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