PARIS: Novak Djokovic etched his name in the history books on Sunday as he secured an unprecedented 23rd Grand Slam title with a resounding victory at the French Open. The triumph, his third at Roland Garros, further solidifies his claim as one of the greatest tennis players of all time.
A legendary moment ✨#RolandGarros @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/IdT4LWqqjO
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023
The 36-year-old Serbian star overcame a shaky start to defeat Norway’s Casper Ruud 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-5, surpassing his tie of 22 Grand Slam titles shared with his long-standing rival, Rafael Nadal.
Adding to his remarkable tally of achievements, Djokovic now boasts 10 Australian Open titles, seven at Wimbledon, and three at the US Open. He becomes the first male player to win each of the four majors at least three times, setting the stage for a potential calendar Grand Slam, a feat last accomplished by Rod Laver in 1969.
Only Margaret Court and Serena Williams in women’s tennis have amassed 23 Grand Slam titles. With his recent victory, Djokovic has his sights set on Court’s all-time record of 24, with the Wimbledon tournament next month offering him an opportunity to inch closer to the milestone.
Novak Djokovic Now the Oldest French Open Champion
Far from showing signs of slowing down, Djokovic, who is now the oldest French Open champion, has won 11 of his Grand Slam titles after turning 30. On Monday, he will reclaim the world number one ranking, beginning his 388th week atop the tennis rankings.
The magnitude of Sunday’s achievement attracted a star-studded audience, including NFL legend Tom Brady, football stars Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic, as well as former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, who is known for his avid support of tennis.
Although Djokovic entered the final as the favorite, the fourth-ranked Ruud displayed composure early on, taking a 2-0 lead when Djokovic mishit an overhead shot. However, the Serbian star mounted a comeback, retrieving the break and eventually clinching the set with an emphatic tiebreak.
Ruud, despite being 12 years Djokovic’s junior, appeared fatigued in the second set. Djokovic capitalized on his opponent’s vulnerability, breaking serve and moving closer to his dream of lifting the trophy. In the third set, Djokovic maintained his composure despite a warning for taking too long between points. He broke Ruud’s serve at 6-5 and secured his place in history when his opponent hit a shot wide.
