Novak Djokovic collects first clay-court victory of 2025, faces Madrid-conqueror next
Novak Djokovic ended his three-match losing streak via a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics in the second round of the ATP 250 in Geneva.
It represents the Serb’s first win of the clay-court season, after losing in his opening match at both the Monte-Carlo and Madrid Masters tournaments.
Djokovic is seeking to gain form ahead of the second Grand Slam of the year, the French Open, where – if successful – he could lift a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.
Additionally, the 24-time Grand Slam champion is seeking a 100th singles title this week in Geneva, a milestone only reached by Jimmy Connors (109) and Roger Federer (103).
“My first win this season on clay, obviously, you know, it’s great to ‘break the ice’ in a way,” stated Djokovic during his on-court interview.
“It’s a very demanding surface. We all know how tricky it is to play on clay, just comparing to the other surfaces, you always have to expect an extra one or two shots coming back.
“Here, [there is] a bit more altitude, so it helps if you have a good serve and, today, I think that was my strongest shot. I had a very high percentage of first serves [in], a few free points won when I needed to get myself out of the trouble with the first serve, so it makes the life on the court a bit easier.
“Very glad, as I said, to be able to play the best tennis when it was most needed. I think all the way through, until the last moment, I was quite focused and pleased with the level of tennis.
“Let’s hope that can continue tomorrow.”
The former world No 1’s next match provides for an intriguing prospect, with Matteo Arnaldi awaiting.
It was Arnaldi who ended Djokovic’s hopes at the Madrid Masters with a 6-3, 6-4 victory in which the latter looked completely out-of-sorts.
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Ahead of the Geneva tournament, Djokovic made numerous candid admissions about his future, calling it a ‘new chapter’ of his career.
“This is a new chapter in my career that I’m trying to navigate,” said the former world No 1, during his pre-tournament press conference.
“I’m not really used to these circumstances, with defeats coming one after the other in the first few rounds – even though I knew it would happen at some point.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve achieved in my career, but I still have the desire to do everything I can to reach my best level so I can win Grand Slam tournaments and beat the best players in the world.
“That’s why I’m here. I want more trophies, I want to build my form ahead of the French Open.”
At the French Open, Djokovic has been remarkably consistent – claiming the title on three occasions (2016, 2021, and 2023).
The only person who he has lost to at the tournament since 2020 is 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal (2020 and 2022), having withdrawn before his quarter-final match against Casper Ruud last year.
Likewise, Djokovic has made the semi-finals or better at 13 editions of the Parisian Grand Slam.
