Roberto Bautista Agut claimed his 12th career title in Antwerp on Sunday by defeating Jiri Lehecka in the pair's third meeting in the last six weeks and insisted: "I deserved a week like this".
An emotional victory 🥹
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) October 20, 2024
Roberto Bautista Agut has a lot to be thankful for after winning the title in Antwerp!#EuropeanOpen pic.twitter.com/McI8dD617s
The 36-year-old Spanish veteran, a former top-10 player now down at 60 in the world, edged out his 33rd-ranked rival from the Czech Republic 7-5, 6-1.
Roberto Bautista Agut wins a Title at age 36.5
— TennisONE App (@TennisONEApp) October 20, 2024
23 ATP Finals since Jan 2023!
12th title (Ruud, Monfils, Nishikori also do)
Leads H2H 4-1 vs Jiri Lehecka
Metronomic consistency from the baseline with his flat low ball striking & accuracy on the forehand pic.twitter.com/eoK3ICOsrW
Bautista Agut had seen off Lehecka in the Davis Cup in September before the Czech gained revenge with a second-round win at the Beijing tournament.
🏆 BAUTISTA AGUT CHAMPION À ANVERS 🏆
— Univers Tennis 🎾 (@UniversTennis) October 20, 2024
Roberto Bautista Agut s'impose en deux sets contre Jiri Lehecka en finale (7-5, 6-1) et décroche le 12e titre de sa carrière à 36 ans. 🔥🇪🇸
Il fera son retour dans le TOP 50 à la 45e place pour la première fois depuis plus d'un an. 🔙 pic.twitter.com/hsTTbndaJb
"This one is very special," said Bautista Agut whose last title had come in 2022 at Kitzbuehel.
"I broke my foot last year and I had to fight so hard this year. I went back to 120 in the world, but I was still going to practice with a smile on my face, trying to be a better player, to fight until the end of my career.
"I think I deserved a week like this."
Bautista Agut is the second oldest men's champion on the tour in 2024 after 37-year-old Novak Djokovic claimed Olympic gold in Paris in August.