French Open men’s final result: Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas in five-set epic
Novak Djokovic’s incredible French Open victory has further staked his claim as the greatest men’s tennis player the world has ever seen.
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He may have done it the hard way, but Novak Djokovic further staked his increasingly persuasive claim to be the greatest men’s player of all time by winning his 19th grand-slam title.
From two sets down, the 34-year-old Serbian warrior showed his remarkable grit and determination by digging as deep as he has ever done to defeat Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the most thrilling men’s singles final seen at Roland Garros for some time.
Over the past 16 years we have become accustomed to the 13-times champion Rafael Nadal completing what has felt like a Parisian procession at times.
Not since 2004 had there been a five-set French Open final, when Argentina’s Gaston Gaudio also recovered from a two-set deficit to see off Guillermo Coria.
When Djokovic buried his head in his towel after losing the second set and appeared to be struggling in temperatures of close to 30C, it seemed likely that another year was going to pass by without a men’s final going the distance.
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The epic four-set semi-final victory against Nadal less than 48 hours earlier had seemingly left him without much energy in the tank.
But, as he has done so often in the past, Djokovic had lulled his opponent into a false sense of security.
Tsitsipas, who had dominated the second set to move to the brink of a first grand-slam trophy at the age of 22, was taken aback by the way in which Djokovic caught a second wind and suddenly forced him on to the back foot.
As hard as Tsitsipas tried, he could not turn the tide.
Djokovic’s 6-7 (6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win in four hours and 11 minutes – coincidentally the same length as his semi-final – not only takes him to within one major title of both Nadal and Roger Federer but makes him the first man in the open era (1968 onwards) to complete the career grand slam twice.
With Wimbledon and the US Open to come over the course of the next three months, it is quite conceivable that not only will he overtake both his great rivals but also claim the first calendar grand slam on the men’s tour since Australia’s Rod Laver in 1969.
He also has a first Olympic gold medal in his sights in Tokyo next month.
“Everything is possible,” Djokovic said.
“What I’ve been through in my career, in my life, this journey has been terrific so far. I’ve achieved some things that a lot of people thought it would be not possible for me to achieve.
“I will enjoy this win and then think about Wimbledon in a few days’ time. I don’t have an issue to say that I’m going for the title in Wimbledon. Of course I am. I like the grass.”
While he would have no doubt rather won in straight sets, this latest comeback gives him another notable entry in the record books.
Having also recovered from two sets down in the fourth round against Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti, Djokovic is the first to do it twice en route to a grand-slam title since Ted Schroeder at Wimbledon in 1949.
It could have been a far simpler affair had Djokovic not uncharacteristically missed several opportunities to win the first set.
After saving a set point at 5-4 down, he served for it at 6-5, but was broken.
He then went 4-0 down in the tie-break but had a set point at 6-5, before Tsitsipas wrested back control with a stunning forehand winner and won three points to steal the set.
Tsitsipas, ranked No. 5 in the world, immediately broke serve at the start of the second set and was completely at ease on the court with his all-round game, hitting winners at will.
A double break for 5-2 gave him a cushion to serve out the set and Djokovic looked down and out.
A bathroom break at this point helped Djokovic to refocus and he was a different player after this.
He made only four unforced errors in the third set and suddenly it was Tsitsipas who was struggling, taking a medical timeout to receive treatment for a hip issue.
Djokovic moved to 3-0, a double break up, with a delicate backhand drop shot.
Playing with more height over the net and increased depth through the court, he was very much the man in charge as the match headed to a fifth and deciding set.
Tsitsipas valiantly tried to hang on towards the end but he could not hit through the defensive wall that his opponent had put up at the back of the court.
Djokovic claimed the pivotal break for 2-1 and held serve in a nervy game at 5-4 to complete an astounding fightback.
DJOKOVIC CLOSE TO HISTORY AFTER FRENCH OPEN EPIC
Novak Djokovic claimed a 19th Grand Slam title and became the first man in 52 years to win all four majors twice when he came from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in a gripping French Open final on Sunday.
The world number one triumphed 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in four hours and 11 minutes over the Greek 22-year-old who was playing in his first Slam final.
Djokovic is now just one major away from equalling the all-time record of 20, jointly held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
It was a second French Open crown for Djokovic after his 2016 victory and adds to his nine Australian Opens, five Wimbledon titles and three at the US Open.
The 34-year-old is the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slams on multiple occasions and just the third in history.
Djokovic had also spent more than four hours on court on Friday to knock out defending champion Nadal.
“It was an electric atmosphere. I want to thank everyone who has been with me on this journey,” said Djokovic.
“I have played almost nine hours over the last 48 hours against two great champions, it was really tough physically over the last three days, but I trusted in my capabilities and knew I could do it.”
Djokovic is the first man ever to win a Slam title by twice coming back from two sets down following his last-16 battle with Italian teenager Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic now has 84 career titles in total while Sunday’s win pushed him to the brink of $150 million in prize money.
Next on the list is an assault on a calendar Grand Slam, only achieved in the men’s game by Don Budge in 1937 and Laver in 1962 and 1969, by defending his Wimbledon crown and then winning a fourth US Open.
On top of that, Djokovic also wants the Olympic gold medal in Tokyo to complete the first ever Golden Grand Slam by a male player.
“His goal and our goal is to win the Olympics and then win the Grand Slam,” said coach Marian Vajda.
Tsitsipas, meanwhile, said he was inspired to follow in Djokovic’s footsteps.
“I had good run here so I am happy with myself,” said Tsitsipas. “Novak has shown what a great champion he is and I hope one day to have half of what he has achieved.
“I tried my best. I had a good run and I’m happy with myself.” Tsitsipas survived a nervy opening service game, having to save two break points.
Djokovic, by contrast, didn’t concede a point in his first three service games.
But suddenly he faced a set point in the 10th game courtesy of an ugly shank but saved it after a 26-shot rally.
Fired up by a time violation, Djokovic broke for the first time for a 6-5 lead but was unable to serve out the opener as a series of razor-sharp returns put Tsitsipas back on level terms.
In a dramatic tie-breaker, Tsitsipas saw 4/0 and 5/2 leads disappear. He had to save a set point before claiming the opener after 70 minutes when Djokovic fired a forehand wide.
Dropping the opening set at this year’s Roland Garros was familiar territory for Djokovic.
He had to recover from two sets down to beat Musetti and lost the opener against 13-time champion Nadal on Friday.
Tsitsipas, 12 years the world number one’s junior, broke again in the first game of the second set as the 2016 champion looked increasingly weary in the 30-degree afternoon heat.
The Greek edged ahead 5-2 and pocketed the second set with his eighth ace of the contest.
But the top seed wasn’t finished, breaking in the fourth game of the third set to cut the deficit.
Tsitsipas then called the trainer to treat a back problem which also gave him the opportunity to change the clay-covered shirt he’d worn since a first set tumble.
Thirty minutes later, it was two sets apiece after Djokovic secured a double break.
As the shadows swept across Court Philippe Chatrier, Tsitsipas’ mood also darkened as he slipped 3-1 down in the decider.
As the clock ticked past four hours, he fought off two more break points in the seventh game but Djokovic was not to be denied his latest slice of history, taking the glory on his second championship point.
NO REGRETS FOR GALLANT TSITSIPAS
Stefanos Tsitsipas said he had “no regrets and no tears” after seeing Novak Djokovic overturn a two-set deficit to win the French Open on Sunday.
Djokovic’s 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 win gave him a 19th Grand Slam title. He is now just one major away from equalling the all-time record of 20, jointly held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
Tsitsipas, 22, has time on his side and is widely seen as the natural heir to the sport’s ‘Big Three’ who are all well into their thirties.
“I don’t think I have regrets. Could have easily cried, but I see no reason for me crying because I tried everything. I couldn’t come up with anything better,” he admitted.
Playing in his first Slam final, Tsitsipas knows his time will come but admits he has lessons to learn from the likes of Djokovic who he described as “an inspiration”.
“What I learned today is that no matter what, in order for the match to be finished, you have to win three sets and not two,” he said.
“Two sets doesn’t really mean anything. It’s still one away of winning the entire match.” Tsitsipas is buoyed by knowing that even before he was 21 he had beaten Djokovic, Nadal and Federer.
This clay-court season, he captured a maiden Masters title in Monte Carlo, had a match point to beat Nadal in Barcelona before winning a seventh career title in Lyon on the eve of Roland Garros.
“I believe, yes, I’m able to play for titles like this. Despite my loss today, I have faith in my game,” he said.
“I very much believe I can get to that point very soon. I was close today. Every opponent is difficult. There’s a small difference between the player I played today and the ones from before.
“But I think with the same attitude I see no reason for me not to be holding that trophy one day.”
Amazing moment of Novak Djokovic handing his French Open title winning racket to a young boy. pic.twitter.com/zOHOXa53bp
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) June 13, 2021
SPECIAL MOMENT AS DJOKER HANDS FAN ULTIMATE MOMENTO
Novak Djokovic said he gave away his French Open winning racquet to a young boy watching courtside for “giving me the right tactics”.
The world number one claimed a 19th Grand Slam title and became the first man in 52 years to win all four majors twice when he came from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4.
At the end of the four-hour and 11-minute final, the 34-year-old Djokovic handed his racquet to the youngster who was then pictured on TV jumping for joy and in shock at the gesture.
“He was in my ear the entire match basically, especially when I was two sets to love down. He was encouraging me. He was actually giving me tactics, as well,” said Djokovic.
“He was like, ‘Hold your serve, get an easy first ball, then dictate, go to his backhand.’ He was coaching me literally.
“I found that very cute, very nice. So I felt like to give the racquet to the best person was him after the match. That was kind of my gratitude for him sticking with me and supporting me.”
Originally published as French Open men’s final result: Novak Djokovic defeats Stefanos Tsitsipas in five-set epic
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