Novak notches new career milestone

Novak Djokovic made more tennis history by winning a 100th career singles title on Saturday, and his first in a city that is special to his family.

Djokovic finally reached his century after rallying to beat Hubert Hurkacz 5-7, 7-6 (2), 7-6 (2) in more than three hours in the Geneva Open final. Since bagging his 99th title win nine months ago at the Paris Olympics, he had lost the two previous finals he had appeared in.

He joins tennis greats Jimmy Connors, who has a record 109 titles, and Roger Federer on 103 as the only men with a century of tournament wins in the Open era.

The 100th followed a typically tough match where he had to work hard for the win, two days after his 38th birthday and surrounded by his family in the Swiss city where some of his relatives reside.

"I'm just grateful to clinch the 100 here," Djokovic said afterward. "I had to work for it, that is for sure."

His wife and children joined him in Geneva to celebrate his birthday after taking a day off from school, Djokovic quipped, also revealing another reason why he grabbed a late wild-card entry into the last clay-court warm-up tournament before the French Open.

The lakeside city is home to a much-loved aunt, uncle and cousins, including one who recently gave birth to a baby the Djokovics really wanted to meet.

"I was just trying to hang in there. This is what happens at this level. A few points decide it. An incredible match, and I'm delighted to clinch the 100 here."

It was the former world No 1's first tournament triumph since winning the Olympic gold medal against Carlos Alcaraz at the Paris Games last summer.

Djokovic had lost both of his previous matches on clay this season prior to the Geneva tournament, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi at the Monte Carlo and Madrid Masters, respectively.

The three-time French Open champion now heads back to Paris looking to add to his 24 Grand Slam singles titles. He has a first-round match on Monday against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States.