ATP Tour

Hot Shot of the Month: Djokovic's deft touch in Geneva final

Novak Djokovic has claimed May’s Hot Shot of the Month award for a drop-dead gorgeous volley en route to claiming his 100th tour-level trophy at the Gonet Geneva Open.

In a pivotal moment in the championship match against Hubert Hurkacz, Djokovic turned a seemingly neutral exchange into a show-stopping piece of magic at the net. The 38-year-old took the Hot Shot of the Month award over other contenders Alexander Zverev, Francisco Cerundolo and Horacio Zeballos.

Trailing Hurkacz by a set in the Geneva final, Djokovic had earned himself a mini break for 3/2 in the second-set tie-break. He fired a sharply-angled serve that forced Hurkacz into a defensive reply. Sensing the shift, Djokovic pounced with a booming crosscourt forehand, pushing Hurkacz wide and off balance.

Djokovic — responding to Hurkacz’s low, short slice — rushed to the forecourt and produced an inside-out forehand approach shot. It was slightly shallower than ideal and it gave the Pole a fleeting opportunity to counter but, instead of getting burned by the oncoming backhand pass, Djokovic slid into a gently-weighted drop volley that landed millimetres over the net.

With the crowd erupting, an impressed Djokovic strutted to the change of ends with his head held high. The former No. 1 in the PIF ATP Rankings went on to level the match and rally from a break down in the deciding set to seal a 5-7, 7-6(2), 7-6(2) victory and clinch his 100th tour-level title.