Novak Djokovic Wins 101st Career Title in Athens, Withdraws from ATP Finals

New Delhi: On November 8, Novak Djokovic clinched his 101st career title by defeating Lorenzo Musetti in a thrilling three-hour final at the Wanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship in Athens. Despite the victory, Djokovic later announced that he would withdraw from the upcoming ATP Finals in Turin due to a shoulder injury — a significant shift in the ATP season that opens the door for Musetti to take his spot at the year-end event.

Record-Breaking Hard Court Achievement

With his 72nd hard-court title, Djokovic became the all-time leader in Open Era hard-court singles titles, surpassing Roger Federer’s record. The Athens final delivered a high-quality, intense contest in which Djokovic made a remarkable comeback after losing the first set, defeating Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5.

A Thrilling Battle in the Final

The decisive set featured 13 break points and five service breaks, as the Serbian legend showcased his trademark resilience. After the match, Djokovic said, “It was an incredible match – a tough physical battle that lasted three hours. It could have gone either way, so congratulations to Lorenzo for his performance. I’m really proud of myself for pulling through.”

Impact on ATP Finals Qualification

At 38 years old, Djokovic’s triumph also denied Musetti the chance to qualify for the ATP Finals based on ranking. Musetti needed to win the Athens title to overtake Felix Auger-Aliassime in the Race to Turin standings. As the top seed, Djokovic once again reinforced his reputation as one of the most consistent players in tennis history, extending his legacy with an incredible 101 career titles.