Novak Djokovic achieves new personal milestone by reaching Serbia Open final

Novak Djokovic at a press conference ahead of the 2022 Rolex Monte-Carlo Masters

Tennis great Novak Djokovic has broken records throughout his illustrious career and has achieved a new personal milestone by reaching the Serbia Open final.

Djokovic finds himself third on the list of players whose maiden and most recent claycourt final span the highest number of years. The World No. 1 reached his first final on clay back in 2006 at the Dutch Open in Amersfoot, making it 16 years between his first and most recent claycourt final.

Unsurprisingly, Rafael Nadal tops the list. The Spaniard made his first claycourt final in 2004 at the Sopot Open and most recently in 2021 at the Rome Masters, making it 17 years between his first and most recent claycourt final.

Richard Gasquet is second on the list (16). The Frenchman made his first claycourt final in 2005 and most recently in 2021 at the Croatia Open. Jaime Fillol (15) comes in fourth on the list, followed by Andre Agassi (15) and David Ferrer(15).

📊 Tenistas con presencias en finales sobre arcilla con más temporadas de diferencia (Open Era/Men’s Singles):

🇪🇸 Nadal | 17 (2004-2021)
🇫🇷 Gasquet | 16 (2005-2021)
🇷🇸 Djokovic | 16 (2006-2022)
🇨🇱 Fillol | 15 (1968-1983)
🇺🇸 Agassi | 15 (1988-2003)
🇪🇸 Ferrer | 15 (2002-2017) https://t.co/8byPbaJNvx

"I think my second and third sets were the best this season" - Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic in action at Dubai Duty Free Tennis Championships

Novak Djokovic made a dreadful start to the season, but he has made amends with a run to the final of the Serbia Open.

Djokovic has had a shaky week so far, dropping the first set in all his matches. He took on compatriot Laslo Djere in the second round and came through after winning two tie-breaks. He then took on another countryman in Miomir Kecmanovic, fighting back to win 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

In his on-court interview after his semi-final victory over Karen Khachanov, the Serb admitted that the second and third sets he played against the Russian were his "best this season."

"I served great, dictated the rhythm; I think my second and third sets were the best this season," he said. "I played against a great rival, and with the support of the audience in front of which I like to play and because of which I am always nervous."

Djokovic will square off against Andrey Rublev in the final in a bid to win his third title at the Serbia Open. He previously won the tournamsnt in 2009 and 2011.

A first final of 2022 for @DjokerNole! 🙌

The World No.1 completes a third comeback win in Belgrade, defeating Khachanov 4-6 6-1 6-2.

#SerbiaOpen https://t.co/NiJiuw4H4A

Djokovic will be happy with the amount of time he has spent on the court this week. The World No. 1 came into the tournament woefully short of match practice and looks to be finding his form ahead of important claycourt tournaments in May.