Novak Djokovic of Serbia performs a shot towards Lorenzo Musetti of Italy throughout the ATP 250 tennis event last match, in Athens, Greece, on November 8, 2025.
| Picture Credit score: AP
Novak Djokovic grew to become the oldest champion on the ATP Tour when the 38-year-old fought again to beat Lorenzo Musetti 4-6 6-3 7-5 to win the Hellenic Championship on Saturday (November 8, 2025), lifting his one hundred and first title on the ATP Tour.
In a marathon encounter that lasted one minute shy of three hours between the highest seeds, Djokovic dropped a set towards Musetti on a hardcourt for the primary time because the Italian battled to win the match and seal his place on the ATP Finals in Turin.
Nonetheless, Djokovic recovered to win the second set, exhibiting no indicators of his advancing years when he stretched on the internet to play a cross-court drop shot doing the splits at full stretch that acquired the group roaring its approval.
The drama reached fever pitch within the decider when an exhausted Djokovic was damaged serving for the title at 5-4.
Nonetheless, he rallied as soon as once more to interrupt Musetti earlier than discovering his final reserves of vitality to serve out the competition and eclipse Roger Federer by claiming a document 72nd hardcourt title.
Djokovic was initially too exhausted to have a good time however, after embracing the 23-year-old Musetti, the Serbian ripped his personal t-shirt as he roared in delight.
‘A GRUELLING MATCH’
“Unimaginable battle. It’s simply, I don’t know, three hours … a gruelling match bodily, tremendous demanding. Lorenzo performed very well,” Djokovic mentioned whereas catching his breath.
“It may have been anyone’s sport, anyone’s match. So congrats to him for a tremendous efficiency and I’m simply very happy with myself to get by means of this one.”
Djokovic is now two titles behind Federer within the ATP Tour’s all-time record whereas Jimmy Connors leads the best way with 109.
The end result noticed Musetti lose out on the final ATP Finals spot, permitting Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime to qualify for the event in Turin.
“Novak, each time I share the court docket with you, I take it as a lesson,” mentioned the humbled Italian.
Djokovic now turns his consideration to the ATP Finals the place he’s set to play his first match on Monday (November 10). The Serbian is in the identical group as Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz and Alex de Minaur.
Revealed – November 09, 2025 01:53 am IST
