Djokovic’s opening match in Geneva was memorable in more ways than one.

Novak Djokovic receives a special gift on his 37th birthday (Via Imago/screengrab X)

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic kicked off his campaign in Geneva with a decisive victory. The 24-time Grand Slam champion returned to form with a commanding 6-3, 6-3 win over Yannick Hanfmann. However, it wasn’t just his triumph that made headlines.

Following his 1100th tour-level win, Djokovic was presented with a special birthday cake by the Geneva organizers. The Serbian graciously shared the cake with the ball kids and security personnel, clearly enjoying the gesture. Djokovic turned 37 on Wednesday, yet his performance on the court suggests he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.

Leading up to Geneva, speculation was rife about a potential first-round showdown between Djokovic and Andy Murray. The former British No. 1 needed to overcome Hanfmann in the Round of 32 to set the stage for the highly anticipated match-up. However, Murray’s hopes were dashed as he succumbed to defeat in a rain-interrupted match.

Djokovic has now joined an elite club, becoming only the third player in history, after Roger Federer and Jimmy Connors, to reach 1100 wins. At this juncture of his career, it seems as though the Belgrade native is setting new records with every match he plays.

Will Geneva give Novak Djokovic the required momentum for Roland Garros?

The tennis world was stunned by Novak Djokovic‘s decision to take a wildcard entry in Geneva. The World No. 1 has experienced a tumultuous 2024 season thus far, failing to secure any titles in the first five months, a departure from his usual form since 2018. However, history offers a glimmer of hope, as six years ago, Djokovic faced a similar slump and managed to turn his fortunes around.
Novak Djokovic after winning Roland Garros last year (Via Imago)
His season commenced with a devastating and first ever loss in the Australian Open semi-finals to eventual champion Jannik Sinner. During the clay court season, he progressed to the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, where he suffered his first defeat to Casper Ruud in his career. Skipping Madrid proved to be no remedy, as Djokovic faced another setback, falling to a surprising 6-2, 6-3 defeat against Alejandro Tabilo at the Italian Open.

Primarily, Djokovic aims to break his title drought this season with a victory in Geneva. His most recent triumph was his record-breaking seventh World Tour Finals win in Italy last year. A victory in Geneva, coupled with the sensation of reclaiming a title, may provide the confidence boost he needs to fortify his defense at Roland Garros.

Ultimately, Djokovic is grappling with a dip in form, but he’s not alone in facing challenges. Sinner is likely to skip the French Open due to a hip injury, and Carlos Alcaraz is struggling with an elbow injury, leading him to miss two of the three Masters 1000 events. Hence, this week in Geneva could be pivotal for the World No. 1, especially considering he has many points to defend until the end of the 2024 season.