In a gripping display of talent and determination, Hamad Medjedovic secured a historic triumph by claiming the Next Gen ATP Finals title following a five-set battle against Arthur Fils in Saudi Arabia. The 20-year-old Serbian tennis sensation etched his name in the tournament’s annals as the lowest-ranked champion, a testament to his remarkable journey throughout the competition.
Overcoming the formidable challenge posed by his French adversary, Medjedovic displayed resilience and skill, clinching victory with a scoreline of 3-4(6) 4-1 4-2 3-4(9) 4-1 in a thrilling encounter that lasted two hours and 11 minutes. Despite squandering two match points in the fourth set, Medjedovic remained composed, ultimately seizing the moment in the decisive fifth set to secure his momentous win.
Expressing his elation, Medjedovic conveyed, “I can’t believe I have won this title but it’s going to give me a lot of confidence for 2024. Arthur is an amazing player – he’s top 40 for a reason – so I’m really happy.”
Reflecting on the fluctuations in the match, Medjedovic admitted, “It was tough after the first set. I changed my clothes and recovered and started to play good again. I didn’t play well when I had match points in the fourth set. I wasn’t relaxed, I was very stiff. Thank God I recovered and I was just trying to stay relaxed as much as I could and I managed to do it in the end.”
Medjedovic’s triumph not only marked a personal milestone but also a historic moment for Serbian tennis. As the first Serbian to clinch the Next Gen ATP Finals, he acknowledged the unwavering support of world No. 1 Novak Djokovic throughout the tournament. “Two of us from Serbia. He won the big Masters, the real one, and I won the Next Gen,” Medjedovic remarked. “Obviously it’s a huge thing and I’m happy to follow in his footsteps in some way.”
This victory crowns an exceptional year for Medjedovic on the professional circuit. Notably, he had showcased his prowess earlier in the season by reaching the semi-finals at prestigious events such as the Swiss Open and Astana Open, solidifying his presence among the tennis elite.
Remember the name 🏆@MedjedovicHamad defeats Arthur Fils 3-4(6), 4-1, 4-2, 3-4(9), 4-1 to salute in Jeddah.#NextGenATPFinals pic.twitter.com/awUMFCPYkL
— Next Gen ATP Finals (@nextgenfinals) December 2, 2023
As Hamad Medjedovic basks in the glory of his triumph, this significant achievement serves as a testament to his unwavering determination, talent, and the promising future that lies ahead in his tennis career.
Hamad Medjedovic in 2023
LWWWWLWWLW Currently the world no.110, Medjedovic played his last match on the 2nd of December when he beat world no.36 Arthur Fils 3-4(6) 4-1 4-2 3-4(9) 4-1 in the final in the Next Gen ATP Finals to win his 1st career title.
During this season Hamad achieved a composed 48-23 match record. Medjedovic has won 3 titles in 2023 in the Szekesfehervar Challenger, the Mauthausen Challenger and the Mallorca Challenger.
Hamad Medjedovic |
| Embed from Getty Images |
