Novak Djokovic Reaches Athens Open Final, Eyes 101st Career Title
World No. 5 Novak Djokovic reaches Athens Open final to move one step closer to his 101st ATP title, defeating Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-4 on Friday to reach the Athens Open final — his third final appearance in 2025.
The 38-year-old Serbian star, who already holds a record 24 Grand Slam titles, will face either Sebastian Korda or Lorenzo Musetti in the final. Musetti must lift the trophy to secure qualification for the ATP Finals in Turin.
Djokovic One Win Away from History
Djokovic, who lost the Miami Masters 1000 final in March but lifted the Geneva trophy in May, now looks to move within two titles of Roger Federer (103) and eight behind Jimmy Connors (109) on the all-time list.
His straight-sets victory over Hanfmann ended the German’s four-match semifinal losing streak at major tournaments, including Roland Garros, Wimbledon, the US Open, and Shanghai Masters 1000.
After missing an early break point at 2-1 in the first set, Djokovic converted on his next chance and maintained his lead to win 6-3. The second set saw him recover from an early break to level 3-3, before breaking again at 4-3 to seal the win in just 78 minutes.
Djokovic’s Quarterfinal Journey
In the previous round, Djokovic defeated Portugal’s Nuno Borges 7-6(1), 6-4 in a tight match that lasted nearly two hours — marking his 200th indoor career victory.
The Athens Open comes as part of the Serb’s final preparations for the ATP Finals, where he has already secured his place alongside Carlos Alcaraz, Taylor Fritz, and Alex de Minaur.
Djokovic’s Record-Breaking Career
Djokovic’s victory in Geneva earlier this year earned him his 100th ATP title, making him only the third player in Open Era history — after Connors and Federer — to reach the century mark.
He has also reached the semifinals in all four Grand Slams this season, a feat he has now achieved seven times in his career, underlining his remarkable consistency at 38.
At the ATP Finals, Djokovic boasts seven titles (a record), with 50 wins and 18 losses overall. His first triumph came in 2008, while his latest was in 2023. The 2025 Finals will take place at Turin’s Inalpi Arena from November 9 to 16.
Djokovic’s Setback in Riyadh
Recently, Djokovic withdrew from the third-place match at the Six Kings Slam in Riyadh against Taylor Fritz after losing the first set in a tiebreak. The Serb cited exhaustion, saying:
“The first set was one of the toughest of my career. I’ll return to Riyadh next year if I’m healthy and still welcome.”
The world No. 5 has struggled with humidity-related issues since the Shanghai Masters, where he was visibly unwell during matches.
Key Takeaway
Djokovic inches closer to tennis immortality — chasing his 101st title while proving age is just a number for one of the sport’s greatest legends.
What’s Next
Djokovic will play the winner of Sebastian Korda vs. Lorenzo Musetti in the Athens Open final on Sunday, looking to lift his second trophy of the year and extend his dominance before heading to Turin for the ATP Finals.
