'I deserved this,' says Bautista Agut after 12th career title
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.
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