Novak Djokovic showed his greatness once again by overcoming a sticky start to win a men’s record 23rd Grand Slam title with victory over Norway’s Casper Ruud in the French Open final.
Djokovic, 36, was far from his best in the initial stages but his quality in a first-set tie-break laid the platform for a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-5 victory.
The Serb moves into the outright lead of men’s majors ahead of Rafael Nadal.
He also becomes the first man to win all four majors at least three times.
Victory on the Paris clay moves Djokovic alongside Serena Williams in terms of major titles, with only Margaret Court now standing in front of him on 24 Grand Slams.
He will have the opportunity to tie Court’s record at Wimbledon next month – a place where he has already won seven times and be the favourite to equal Roger Federer’s record tally of men’s titles.
Djokovic, who also regains the world number one ranking with his third triumph at Roland Garros, instantly fell flat on his back in celebration as Ruud pulled a forehand wide on the second championship point.
After a commiserating hug with his opponent, Djokovic ran up to his support box where he celebrated with coach Goran Ivanisevic, wife Jelena, his two children, parents Dijana and Srdjan and NFL superstar Tom Brady.
Fourth seed Ruud, who has lost all three of his major finals, congratulated Djokovic on “another day, another record”.
Addressing his opponent, he added: “It is another day where you rewrite tennis history. It is tough to explain how great you are and what an inspiration you are.”
Djokovic delivers on his date with destiny
Having made no secret of his ambition to win more major titles than long-time rivals Nadal and Federer, this was Djokovic’s date with destiny.
He pulled level with the pair on 20 triumphs at Wimbledon in 2021, but fell behind Nadal after missing the 2022 Australian Open following a row over his Covid-19 vaccination status that led to him being deported.
Nadal extended the advantage when he won last year’s French Open but Djokovic has surged ahead after winning three of the past four Grand Slams.
Even before 14-time French Open champion Nadal pulled out of this year’s tournament with injury, Djokovic was considered by many as the favourite, even though his own build-up had been hampered by physical problems.
Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz was the other main contender, but Djokovic beat him in the semi-finals after the 20-year-old suffered body cramps caused by the tension of facing one of the all-time greats.
In the early part of Sunday’s final against 24-year-old Ruud, who was aiming for his first major after twice losing finals last year, it was Djokovic who looked more nervous.
Tight and tense, the third seed made a number of unforced errors as Ruud pushed him deep in the court and trailed 4-2 in the first set.
But Djokovic grew in stature as the opener wore on.
With a star-studded crowd including French footballer Kylian Mbappe and British actor Hugh Grant watching on, Djokovic used all of his vast experience to dominate the tie-break as fourth seed Ruud wilted – and from that point on there was only ever going to be one outcome.
