Novak Djokovic becomes oldest ATP Tour champion with Athens victory
Novak Djokovic secured his 101st career title on Saturday, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a physically demanding 2-hour, 58-minute final at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship in Athens.
Novak Djokovic, Athens 2025 | © AP Photo/Yorgos Karahalis/SIPA
Novak Djokovic secured his 101st career title on Saturday, defeating Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a physically demanding 2-hour, 58-minute final at the Vanda Pharmaceuticals Hellenic Championship in Athens. The match can be widely regarded as one of the best on the regular ATP Tour this season, featuring relentless intensity and spectacular points, with both players performing near their season-best levels.
Musetti, who needed the title for direct qualification to the Nitto ATP Finals, finishes the week ranked world No. 9. It seems to be enough to play the Turin tournament, reports saying that Djokovic told him at the net that he would withdraw. Djokovic had already skipped the event in 2024.
Djokovic, the tournament’s top seed and world No. 5, overcame the early setback of losing the first set and numerous break point challenges in the final, converting four of his ten break opportunities while Musetti converted four of nine. The Italian twice broke back in the third set at 3-1 and 5-3, but Djokovic remained composed and clinical under pressure to clinch the title.
Djokovic : “It could have been anybody’s game”
Djokovic described the encounter as “grueling physically” and “super demanding,” celebrating the narrow victory by saying, “Really it could have been anybody’s game, so congrats to Lorenzo for an amazing performance. I’m very proud of myself to get through this one.” He expressed deep affection for playing in Athens, calling it “like home,” fitting for a tournament that was relocated from Belgrade and remains managed by his brother Djordje Djokovic.
This victory marked Djokovic’s first hard-court title since the 2023 Nitto ATP Finals and extended his record to 72 hard-court titles in the Open era, the most by any player in history. At 38 years old, Djokovic became the oldest man to win a tour-level title on the ATP Tour since its inception in 1990, a feat that echoes Ken Rosewall’s record set in 1977 when Rosewall won a tour-level title at age 43.
Musetti “taking it as a lesson”
Reflecting on the match, Musetti complimented Djokovic, saying, “At your age, you are beating us like today. Every time, I take it as a lesson for us, so thanks for that.” Djokovic praised Musetti’s progress on hard courts, stating, “Respect for Lorenzo and his performance today. I’ve played you many times on different surfaces, and I know you probably play your best tennis on clay, but honestly, your improvement on hard courts is amazing. Keep it going—you’re on the right path, and I’m sure the future is bright.”
Djokovic’s path to the final included victories over German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann (6-3, 6-4), Portuguese sixth seed Nuno Borges (7-6(1), 6-4), and Chilean Alejandro Tabilo (7-6(3), 6-1). Musetti’s route featured wins against American Sebastian Korda (6-0, 5-7, 7-5), French fifth seed Alexandre Muller (6-2, 6-4), and Swiss wildcard Stan Wawrinka (4-6, 7-6(5), 6-4).
This final in Athens marked a high level of men’s tennis not seen in the city for over 30 years, with Djokovic emphasizing the tournament’s strong comeback and the passionate support from fans. “The overall feeling after this week is like the tournament never left—it was here every single year. You guys were amazing. I want to thank my team and family—this has been an amazing and very special week for me with all my close and far families and best friends here,” Djokovic said.
This victory places Djokovic just eight titles behind Jimmy Connors on the all-time career titles list, underscoring the Serbian’s enduring excellence on the professional tour.
