Tomas Machac taken aback by his triumph over the world number one.
“I have no reaction right now, when you’re playing against Novak.. you just hope,” World No.44 Tomas Machac defeats Novak Djokovic in ATP 250 Geneva Semifinals

Tomas Machac defeated Novak Djokovic at the Geneva Open semi-final (Via IMAGO/X)

Novak Djokovic failed to cross the finish line yet again this year. He went down to world number 44 Tomas Machac in the Geneva Open semifinal.

Novak Djokovic became the oldest player ever to reach this stage at Geneva, but it was the furthest he could get. Tomas Machac scored the biggest win of his career, triumphing 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 over the world number one. He will now face either Casper Ruud or Flavio Cobolli for the title.

During the post match interview, the Czech opened up about what it is like to face Djokovic and how one can only hope to to pull off a miraculous win.

I have no reaction right now. You just fight for every ball and hope when you’re playing against Novak.. you just hope.. you try to play your best and see what it looks like.

Tomas Machac in post match interview

Djokovic accepted a last minute wildcard into this tournament in hopes of getting more match practice before the all important French Open. The Serb has been struggling with his form throughout the year and fans thought things would change for the better in Geneva. Their expectations were met in the first two rounds, which Djokovic won easily against Yannick Hanfmann and Tallon Griekspoor.

Things look dire now as the loss against Machac is his second loss to a player outside the top 40 this year. In Indian Wells, Luca Nardi, who was ranked outside the top 100 at the time, defeated Djokovic in what may go down as the upset of the year. Despite these undesired results in the last few months, Djokovic remains a favorite to win the French Open as a Grand Slam is a different ballgame altogether.