12-6-2023 (PARIS) Novak Djokovic claimed his 23rd Grand Slam singles title with a straight-sets victory over Casper Ruud of Norway in the French Open final on Sunday.
The third-seeded Djokovic, competing in his 34th career major final, bounced back from an early break in the first set to secure a 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 win in a thrilling match that lasted three hours and 13 minutes.
This triumph propelled the 36-year-old Serbian past his archrival Rafael Nadal to become the male player with the most major championships in tennis history.
Djokovic, who previously won the French Open in 2016 and 2021, also achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first man to win each of the four Grand Slam events at least three times.
Expressing his joy at the award ceremony, Djokovic said, “It’s an incredible feeling to win 23. I’m beyond grateful and blessed to be standing here with so many incredible achievements. This 23rd Grand Slam title holds a special significance for me because it has been the hardest one to win in my career. I am overwhelmed with emotions and immensely proud.”
In addition to surpassing Nadal’s record, Djokovic drew level with Serena Williams in terms of Grand Slam titles, with only Margaret Court’s tally of 24 majors ahead of him.
This victory also marked a couple of remarkable age-related milestones for Djokovic. At 36 years and 20 days, he became the oldest-ever men’s singles champion at Roland-Garros. Moreover, he became the first player, male or female, to win more than 10 major singles titles after turning 30.
Addressing the topic of age, Djokovic said with a smile, “I am aware that age is just a number, even though it sounds like a cliché. In my case, it truly feels that way. However, I do acknowledge that my body responds differently now, and I have to deal with more physical challenges than I did in the past. Nevertheless, I feel blessed to have achieved this milestone.”
The match against Ruud started with a strong start from the Norwegian, who broke Djokovic’s serve to take a 3-0 lead. Djokovic responded by breaking Ruud in the seventh game, leveling the set at 4-4 after saving a break point. After 73 minutes of intense play, the set went to a tiebreak, which Djokovic dominated, winning it 7-1.
In the second set, Djokovic took an early break and went on to secure a 3-0 lead. He maintained his advantage to comfortably claim the set in two hours and 13 minutes.
The third set proved to be a tightly contested battle, with both players trading blows. In the 11th game, Djokovic broke Ruud’s serve and then held his own to serve for the championship. With a combination of resilience and skill, Djokovic emerged victorious.
Reflecting on his performance, Ruud admitted, “Novak showed why he has won 23 titles. He turned the match around in the first set and raised his level when necessary in the second and third sets. I have faced tough opponents in my three major finals, with Nadal going for the record, Carlos Alcaraz on fire in New York, and now Djokovic aiming for his 23rd title. But I have proven that my previous final appearance was not a one-time occurrence. Even when we return to Roland Garros next year, people will recognize that I have made it to the final twice.”
Novak Djokovic’s remarkable achievement at the French Open solidifies his status as one of the greatest tennis players of all time. As he continues to set new records, the tennis world eagerly awaits his future endeavors on the court.
