Novak Djokovic will play for a career milestone—and his first clay-court win of the year—in Geneva.
By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Friday, May 9, 2025
Photo credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty
Novak Djokovic is aiming to do dirty work before Roland Garros starts.
Grand Slam king Djokovic has accepted a wild card into the Geneva Open, set for May 18-24th.
Olympic gold-medal champion Djokovic, who withdrew from Rome without citing an injury, will play for a career milestone—and his first clay-court win of the year—in Geneva.
Djokovic continues his quest for his milestone 100th career championship, aims to snap a three-match losing streak and post his first clay-court win of the year ahead of Roland Garros, which begins on May 25th.
The former world No. 1, who celebrates his 38th birthday on May 22nd, will carry a 12-8 record on the year into Geneva. Djokovic has never played Roland Garros without winning at least one clay-court match in preparation, so he not only needs match play, he needs wins on dirt.
Djokovic joins a competitive Geneva field that is expected to include defending champion Casper Ruud, Taylor Fritz, Grigor Dimitrov and Karen Khachanov.
Djokovic lost his Madrid opener to Matteo Arnaldi, which was his third straight loss.
Afterward, a candid Djokovic confessed coping with a series of losses is a new experience and he’s learning to embrace the challenges he’s facing with his 38th birthday looming three days before Roland Garros starts.
“I mean, 20 years, you know, I didn’t experience what I’m experiencing in the last 12 months,” Djokovic told the media in Madrid. “So, you know, early exits and, you know, way too many. But it is part of the sport, and you have to accept the circumstances and try to make the best out of the circumstances in your favor for whatever is coming up.
“Yeah, I mean, look, I cannot sit here and complain about my career or anything, you know, I’m not doing that. But it’s a different feeling that I just have to embrace, accept, and deal with in a special way.”
A year ago, Djokovic reached the Geneva semifinals.
World No. 44 Tomas Machac shocked then world No. 1 Djokovic 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 to reach his first ATP Tour final on the red clay of Geneva with his biggest career victory.
The bearded all-courter from Czechia scored his second career Top 10 victory. Machac broke serve five times and won 21 of 32 points played on Djokovic’s second serve.
Machac’s Milestone Moment 🤩
Tomas Machac defeats World No.1 Novak Djokovic 6-4 0-6 6-1 for his FIRST Tour final! 👏#ATPGVA pic.twitter.com/FX1v5iGXjo
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) May 24, 2024
“I have no reaction right now, I just fought for every ball,” Machac said. “When you play against Novak you just hope.
“You just try to play your best and see what it looks like.”
Djokovic is hoping for the best in his Geneva return.
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