Djokovic dispatches Casper Ruud in straight sets to break the record for most major singles trophies in men’s tennis history.
Novak Djokovic has won his men’s record 23rd Grand Slam title with a 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Casper Ruud in the French Open final, strengthening his case for the crown. as the greatest player of all time. .
On Sunday, the 36-year-old Serb broke a tie with rival Rafael Nadal for the most major individual trophies in men’s tennis history, dating back to the 19th century.
Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros champion, missed this year’s tournament because he is injured.
This victory adds to the French Open titles won by Djokovic in 2016 and 2021, making him the only man with at least three from each major event. Since he collected his first Slam trophy at the 2008 Australian Open, he has amassed a total of 10 there, seven at Wimbledon and three at the US Open.
Djokovic is once again halfway to a calendar-year Grand Slam, winning all four majors in one season, something no man has accomplished since Rod Laver in 1969. Djokovic came close to achieving that feat in 2021, when he won the Australian Open. , French Open and Wimbledon and went all the way to the title match at the US Open before losing to Daniil Medvedev.
Only Margaret Court and Serena Williams in women’s tennis have managed to accumulate 23 Grand Slam titles. Court’s all-time mark of 24 will now be in Djokovic’s sights at Wimbledon next month.
There are few signs that Djokovic is slowing down. He is now the oldest French Open champion, but 11 of his Slam trophies have now been won after his 30th birthday.
On Monday, he will regain the world ranking of numbers and begin his 388th week in first place.
Sunday’s sense of occasion certainly drew prominent athletes.
NFL legend Tom Brady watched from Djokovic’s box, soccer stars Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sat side by side in the VIP area that also played host to former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, a regular this weekend.
Djokovic was playing in his seventh French Open final and had a 4-0 career record over Ruud, without dropping a set.
However, the fourth-ranked Norwegian was the more composed of the two early on, racing out of the blocks for a 2-0 lead when Djokovic struck overhead.
Ruud, the 2022 runner-up behind Nadal, stretched to 3-0 and 4-1 before Djokovic recovered the break in game seven when his opponent buried an easy spike into the net on an open-court plea. He came to the end of a lung-busting 28-stroke rally.
Djokovic missed a break point in the ninth game, falling to the red clay while chasing down a pass from Ruud.
His frustration boiled over when he angrily accused referee Damien Dumusois of rushing players between substitutions on a heavy and humid afternoon in the French capital.
Enthused, he then ran through the tiebreaker, sealing the opener with a forehand.
Tellingly, that was Djokovic’s sixth tiebreaker at this French Open and in none of them did he commit a single unforced error on the 55 points played.
Despite being 12 years younger than Djokovic, Ruud, who also lost the 2022 US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, suddenly seemed exhausted.
Djokovic broke for 2-0 in the second set and despite Ruud saving two set points in the eighth game, the Serb came close to his dream.
Ruud saved a break point in the third game of the third set before Djokovic received a warning for taking too long between points.
But he didn’t miss a beat.
Djokovic broke for love at 6-5 and sealed his place in history when Ruud went wide.