Novak Djokovic of Serbia performs a shot in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti of Italy through the ATP 250 tennis match ultimate match, in Athens, Greece, on November 8, 2025.
| Photograph Credit score: AP
Novak Djokovic turned 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 a 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 in opposition to 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 received 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 power to serve out the competition and eclipse Roger Federer by claiming a file 72nd hardcourt title.
Djokovic was initially too exhausted to have fun 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 stated whereas catching his breath.
“It might have been anyone’s sport, anyone’s match. So congrats to him for an incredible efficiency and I’m simply very pleased with myself to get by way of this one.”
Djokovic is now two titles behind Federer within the ATP Tour’s all-time listing whereas Jimmy Connors leads the way in which with 109.
The outcome noticed Musetti lose out on the final ATP Finals spot, permitting Canadian Felix Auger-Aliassime to qualify for the match in Turin.
“Novak, each time I share the court docket with you, I take it as a lesson,” stated 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
