Novak Djokovic After Becoming Oldest ATP Champion & 101st Career Title: 'Dedicate This Win To...'

Novak Djokovic After Becoming Oldest ATP Champion & 101st Career Title: 'Dedicate This Win To...'

Novak Djokovic became the oldest champion on the ATP Tour when the 38-year-old fought back to defeat Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5, claiming the Hellenic Championship on Saturday and securing his 101st ATP Tour title.

“I dedicate this win to the wonderful people of Greece. You support me, you support tennis, you've made me feel at home. Huge gratitude also to everyone who made this beautiful new tournament so special. To Lorenzo, what an epic battle. Congratulations on an incredible performance and tournament. Keep it going, your future is bright. Idemooo," Djokovic posted on X.

In a marathon encounter just shy of three hours between the top seeds, Djokovic dropped a set against Musetti on a hard court for the first time as the Italian battled for the win and a place at the ATP Finals in Turin.

However, Djokovic recovered to claim the second set, showing no signs of his advancing years as he stretched at the net to play a cross-court drop shot, executing the splits at full stretch to the crowd's roaring approval.

The drama peaked in the final set when an exhausted Djokovic was broken while serving for the title at 5-4. Nevertheless, he rallied to break Musetti once more before finding his last reserves of energy to serve out the match and surpass Roger Federer by claiming a record 72nd hardcourt title.

Djokovic was initially too exhausted to celebrate but, after embracing the 23-year-old Musetti, the Serbian tore his own t-shirt as he roared in delight.

“Incredible battle. It's just, I don't know, three hours … a gruelling match physically, super demanding. Lorenzo played really well," Djokovic said while catching his breath.

“It could have been anybody's game, anybody's match. So congrats to him for an amazing performance and I'm just very proud of myself to get through this one."

Djokovic is now two titles behind Federer on the ATP Tour's all-time list, with Jimmy Connors leading with 109 titles.

The result meant Musetti lost out on the last ATP Finals spot, allowing Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime to qualify for the tournament in Turin.

“Novak, every time I share the court with you, I take it as a lesson," said the humbled Italian.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Source: News18
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