Ivo Karlović becomes the oldest ATP Challenger title winner in history
- by croatiaweek
- in Sport
Ivo Karlovic (Photo credit: Davis Cup/Twitter)
Croatian tennis player Ivo Karlović has set another record.
Karlović, who turns 40 in February, became the oldest player to win an ATP Challenger title after winning the ATP Challenger in Calgary, Canada on Sunday.
The big-serving Croatian beat Australian Jordan Thompson in the final 7-6 (7-3), 6-3 in one hour and 13 minutes.
Karlović, who beat fellow Croatian Borna Gojo in the semi-final, hit 24 aces on his way to the title.
It’s David vs Goliath at the #CalgaryChallenger – #1 seed 🇦🇺 J. Thompson (right) vs #2 seed 🇭🇷 I. Karlovic! @YYCNBChallenger @TennisCanada @SUNSports @GlobalCalgary @TourismCalgary GET YOUR GAME ON!!! @abtenniscentre pic.twitter.com/IqsNxwnoIy
— Tennis Alberta (@TennisAlberta) October 21, 2018
The 211 cm veteran has won eight ATP singles as is one of the tallest professional tennis players in history. He officially held the record for the fastest serve recorded in professional tennis, measured at 251 km/h (156 mph), before being surpassed by Samuel Groth in 2012.
He also holds the all-time record for career aces with 12,936 – and is one of only four players in history to surpass 10,000 aces.
