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Djokovic Marks 37th Birthday with Crucial Victory Ahead of French Open Defense
Novak Djokovic celebrated his 37th birthday on Wednesday by securing the 1,100th win of his career as he prepares to defend his French Open title, advancing to the Geneva quarter-finals. The world number one defeated Germany’s Yannick Hanfmann 6-3, 6-3 in the second round at Parc des Eaux-Vives.
Djokovic joins Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men to achieve 1,100 career wins.
Taking a wild card entry to compete in Geneva, Djokovic aimed to reverse a concerning slump in form ahead of the French Open, the second Grand Slam of the year. His 2024 record now stands at 13 wins and five losses, and he has yet to reach a tournament final this year.
After his victory over Hanfmann, the crowd serenaded Djokovic with “Happy Birthday,” and a cake with candles was brought onto the court. Djokovic lifted the cake, showed it to the crowd, had a taste, and shared some with the ball boys and girls.
“The key was the birthday. My birthday probably wouldn’t be the same if I didn’t win the match,” the Serb remarked.
“It’s nice to be here for the first time in this tournament and to have my family here coming to support as well. I grew up with my aunt and my uncle and my two cousins for most of my life,” he said, referring to his relatives who now live in Geneva.
“We don’t get a chance to see each other that much lately so it’s really nice. I’m getting some really quality time on the court but also off the court.
“Thank you so much for singing the ‘Happy Birthday’ song. That really touched me so I’m very happy to win on this special day.”
Ruud Advances to Quarter-Finals
In a rain-interrupted match, Djokovic overcame a 3-0 deficit in the second set to close out the contest.
Djokovic played cleanly and consistently from the baseline, mixing in occasional drop shots. He will face either Denis Shapovalov or Tallon Griekspoor in Thursday’s quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, second seed Casper Ruud, who won the Geneva title in 2021 and 2022, secured his place in the quarter-finals with a 4-6, 6-2, 6-2 victory over Austrian qualifier Sebastian Ofner.
It was Ruud’s 32nd tour-level win of the season, the highest tally of any player in 2024. The Norwegian world number seven, who lost to Djokovic in last year’s French Open final, will next face Argentinian fifth seed Sebastian Baez.
The Czech Republic’s Tomas Machac will take on Alex Michelsen in the quarter-finals after the American defeated his third-seeded compatriot Taylor Fritz 6-4, 4-6, 7-5.
Michelsen only achieved his first tour-level clay-court win last month.
Thursday’s other quarter-final will feature Alexandr Shevchenko against Flavio Cobolli, who eliminated US fourth seed Ben Shelton.
