New Delhi: Novak Djokovic is heading to the Geneva Open for the second year in a row, hoping to turn his season around before the French Open kicks off on May 25. With back-to-back early exits at Monte Carlo and Madrid, and a withdrawal from Rome, the Serbian legend is now searching for rhythm, confidence, and maybe even a title on clay, something he hasn’t achieved yet this season.
Geneva Open will be running from May 17 to 24 and might turn out to be his last-minute lifeline. It might not have the shine of an ATP Masters 1000, but for the Serbian, it’s now a crucial pit stop on the road to Roland Garros.
It’s not an everyday event that a 24-time Grand Slam champion drops into a lower-tier tournament just days before a major. But that’s exactly what Djokovic is doing by entering Geneva. His current form demands it.
In Monte Carlo, he lost to Casper Ruud in the semifinals, while in Madrid, he suffered a surprising defeat to Alejandro Tabilo, leaving fans stunned. To make matters worse he even dropped out of Rome, where he has lifted the trophy six times, citing the need to rest and recover. All this has raised questions about whether Djokovic will be ready physically and mentally for the grind of the French Open.
Djokovic is well known for peaking at the right moments, but the timing feels a bit off this year.
Can he win a clay title before Paris?
With a career total of 99 singles titles, Djokovic is just one short away from joining Roger Federer, Jimmy Connors, and Ivan Lendl in the exclusive 100-title club. But the million-dollar question is: can he finally win a clay-court title this season in Geneva?
The draw won’t be easy. Defending champion Casper Ruud will be back looking for his fourth Geneva title in five years. Taylor Fritz, Grigor Dimitrov, Denis Shapovalov, Hubert Hurkacz, and Tomas Machac are all likely contenders he has to defeat to lift the crown.
Still, the 37-year-old’s motivation is clear. Geneva gives him the match time he desperately needs. More than just getting wins under his belt, it’s about rediscovering his footwork, his precision, and that mental edge that makes him so hard to beat in five-set matches.
It’s also worth noting that May 22 marks Djokovic’s 38th birthday. Last year, he celebrated it in Geneva but couldn’t go all the way. This time, the stakes are higher not just for celebration, but also for momentum.
Djokovic eyes title No. 100
The former World No.1 is chasing history yet again. With 99 singles titles to his name, one more would not only bring him to a century but also place him alongside the greatest winners in tennis history. It’s a milestone that has seemed within reach for months, but his recent struggles have delayed the moment.
He’s come close before semifinal runs, tough matchups, bad luck with injuries but Geneva could be where the wait ends. And if he does it here, on a court where he has never won before, it would make the achievement even sweeter.
For a player like Djokovic, numbers have always meant less than the moment. But the 100th title? That’s different. It would be another massive chapter in a story that already feels legendary.
As the Geneva Open begins, all eyes will be on him. Not just for the wins, but for signs that the king of comebacks is once again ready to rule.
Novak Djokovic heads to the Geneva Open chasing his 100th title and first clay win of 2024, hoping to gain form before the French Open begins. Tennis Sports News: Latest Cricket News, Cricket Live Score, Sports Breaking News from Sports Today
