On a chilly, rain-soaked evening in Geneva, Novak Djokovic marked his 38th birthday with a hard-fought 6-4, 6-4 victory over Matteo Arnaldi, exacting sweet revenge at the Gonet Geneva Open. The quarter-final clash at the ATP 250 clay-court event was a pivotal moment for the Serbian star, who overcame a mid-match deficit and a brief knee scare to secure his place in the semi-finals. With the French Open looming, Djokovic’s performance was a powerful statement of intent, blending resilience, tactical brilliance, and a touch of fiery emotion as he inches closer to a historic 100th career title.
The match, played under damp conditions at Geneva’s Centre Court, was a rematch of a stinging defeat for Djokovic, who fell to Arnaldi in straight sets at the Madrid Open just weeks ago. That loss, part of a challenging 2025 clay season marked by early exits in Monte-Carlo and Madrid, had left Djokovic grappling with what he called a “new reality” in his career. “I lost to a better player,” he had said after Madrid, acknowledging Arnaldi’s brilliance. In Geneva, however, Djokovic was determined to flip the script. The world No. 6, seeded second, started strongly, securing a break in the third game of the first set and holding serve without facing a break point to claim it 6-4. His serve, a standout weapon, delivered six aces and an 80% first-serve point win rate, a stark contrast to Arnaldi’s two aces and 53% first-serve success.
The second set tested Djokovic’s resolve. Arnaldi, the 24-year-old Italian ranked 39th, surged to a 4-1 lead after breaking Djokovic’s serve, capitalizing on a wayward backhand. Frustration boiled over as Djokovic smashed his racket into the ground, an outburst that drew boos from the crowd and a swift apology in French: “I’m sorry for the racket, it’s not a good example particularly for the young ones.” The moment proved a turning point. “After the racquet breaking, I kind of found my optimal state and balance, mentally and emotionally,” he later reflected, noting how the incident fueled his comeback. Djokovic reeled off five consecutive games, breaking Arnaldi twice to seal the set 6-4 in one hour and 39 minutes. A mighty roar and a fist pump to the crowd signaled how much the win meant, especially after a knee tweak in the fifth game raised brief concerns about his surgically repaired right knee.
“It’s great to be in the semi-finals again,” Djokovic said, referencing his 2024 Geneva semi-final loss to Tomas Machac. “Hopefully this year I can go at least a step further, that’s the goal. I think I’m playing really good tennis. A straight-sets win, but it was much closer than the score indicates.” The victory leveled their head-to-head at 1-1 and marked Djokovic’s first back-to-back clay wins of 2025, following a 6-2, 6-3 rout of Marton Fucsovics in the round of 16. “My first win this season on clay,” he had said after that match, relieved to break a 0-2 clay record. His performance against Arnaldi showcased his adaptability, with 41% of return points won and a composed finish, capped by an ace.
The Geneva crowd celebrated Djokovic’s birthday with a chocolate cake topped with sparklers, a heartwarming gesture that softened the earlier tension. “Thank you for your support. I know with the cold temperatures it’s not easy to stay here,” he told the fans, who sang to him post-match. Now two wins from joining Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer as the only men with 100 tour-level titles, Djokovic faces British qualifier Cameron Norrie in the semi-finals, following Norrie’s 7-6(8-6), 6-4 comeback over Alexei Popyrin. The other semi-final pits Hubert Hurkacz against Sebastian Ofner, after upsets saw top seed Taylor Fritz and fourth seed Karen Khachanov fall.
Djokovic’s 2025 season has been a rollercoaster. After Olympic gold on Paris clay, his clay campaign faltered with losses to Alejandro Tabilo in Monte-Carlo and Arnaldi in Madrid, plus a semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner in Rome. Geneva offers a chance to regain momentum before Roland Garros, where he aims for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. Arnaldi, who had called Djokovic his “idol” after Madrid, pushed him hard with aggressive baseline play, but Djokovic’s experience and clutch play prevailed. “I was 4-1 down in the second. Somehow I didn’t lose a game,” he marveled, highlighting his mental fortitude.
As Djokovic prepares for Norrie and a potential final, his Geneva run is a reminder of his enduring greatness. Despite an inconsistent year, with four opening-match losses and no titles since the Olympics, his hunger remains. The racket-smashing drama and birthday celebration underscored a truth: at 38, Djokovic’s fire still burns, and Paris awaits a reinvigorated champion ready to chase history.[](https://www.atptour.com/en/news/djokovic-arnaldi-geneva-2025-thursday)[](https://www.tennis365.com/tennis-news/novak-djokovic-38th-birthday-racket-smash-geneva-open-win-matteo-arnaldi)[](https://www.hindustantimes.com/sports/tennis/birthday-boy-djokovic-avenges-arnaldi-loss-in-geneva-101747943589421.html)
# Novak Djokovic’s Birthday Win in Geneva
Novak Djokovic celebrated his 38th birthday with a 6-4, 6-4 victory over Matteo Arnaldi in the Geneva Open quarter-finals, avenging a Madrid Open loss. The win, propelling him to the semi-finals, bolstered his French Open preparations.
Djokovic started strongly, breaking Arnaldi in the first set’s third game to win 6-4, with six aces and no break points faced. The second set saw Arnaldi lead 4-1 after breaking Djokovic, who smashed his racket in frustration, later apologizing: “I’m sorry for the racket, it’s not a good example particularly for the young ones.” The outburst sparked a turnaround, with Djokovic winning five straight games. “After the racquet breaking, I kind of found my optimal state and balance,” he said. A knee tweak briefly concerned fans, but he closed with an ace in 1 hour 39 minutes.
“It’s great to be in the semi-finals again,” Djokovic said, aiming to surpass his 2024 Geneva semi-final loss. “A straight-sets win, but it was much closer than the score indicates.” The win followed a 6-2, 6-3 victory over Marton Fucsovics, his first clay win of 2025. “My first win this season on clay,” he noted then. With a 41% return point win rate, he leveled his head-to-head with Arnaldi at 1-1.
After Madrid’s 6-3, 6-4 loss, where Arnaldi called Djokovic his “idol,” the Serbian faced a “new reality” with four opening-match losses in 2025. Geneva’s victory, celebrated with a sparkler-topped cake, showed his resilience. “I think I’m playing really good tennis,” he said. He faces Cameron Norrie next, chasing his 100th title before Roland Garros, where he seeks a 25th Grand Slam.
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