Novak Djokovic Equals Federer’s Hard Court Title Record with Athens Victory

Novak Djokovic secured his 72nd career hard court title today, equaling Roger Federer’s long-standing record, with a hard-fought win at an ATP 250 tournament near Athens.

The victory, achieved against world No. 9 Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 in a grueling match lasting two hours and 59 minutes, marks Djokovic’s 101st overall career title, bringing him within two of Jimmy Connors’ all-time record of 103 and eight of Federer’s 109. The tournament was notably directed by Djokovic’s brother, Djordje, and considered a “home” event for the Serbian star who now resides just outside Athens. This win further solidifies Djokovic’s position as a dominant force in men’s tennis, even as he approaches his 38th birthday.

“An incredible battle… Three hours of a gruelling match, physically,” Djokovic said following the match. “It could have been anybody’s match, so congrats to Lorenzo for an amazing performance. I’m just very proud of myself to get through this one.” Djokovic has spent a record 428 weeks ranked No. 1 in the world, a testament to his sustained excellence – you can find more information about the ATP rankings here.

With 24 Grand Slam titles, 7 ATP Finals crowns, and 40 Masters 1000 trophies already to his name, this latest title adds another layer to what is widely considered the most complete record in the Open Era. Tournament officials confirmed Djokovic will now take a short break before preparing for the upcoming Australian Open.