Federer conspiracy theory impossible to miss after Djokovic’s French Open triumph

A peculiar detail of Novak Djokovic’s historic French Open crown has added fuel to the fire of a Roger Federer conspiracy theory.

As the gushing, bewildered messages of congratulations flow in following Novak Djokovic’s historic French Open triumph, there is one message that hasn’t come.

Djokovic re-wrote the record books again on Monday morning when he captured a 23rd Grand Slam title with a third French Open triumph, reinforcing his case to be crowned the greatest player of all time.

The 36-year-old Serb brushed off an early wobble to defeat Casper Ruud of Norway 7-6 (7/1) 6-3 7-5 and snap the tie of 22 Slams he shared with career-long rival Rafael Nadal.

Nadal was quick to acknowledge the moment.

Federer was not.

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“Many congrats on this amazing achievement Novak,” Nadal tweeted. “23 is a number that just a few years back was impossible to think about, and you made it! Enjoy it with your family and team!”

It has only been a matter of hours since Djokovic was crowned king of the Roland Garros clay, but Federer’s silence has been noted among tennis fans.

It remains very likely of course that Federer simply hasn’t had time to make a grand gesture of congratulations on social media. The 41-year-old is far from a regular social media user.

Roger Federer and Novak Djokovic. Photo: Supplied.

However, the eight-time Wimbledon champion has previously been quick to congratulate fellow “Big Three” member Nadal.

Federer’s name was trending around the world on Twitter on Monday morning with the debate about men’s tennis’ GOAT raging again.

There were some sections that found it impossible to miss Federer’s absence from the conversation.

American tennis commentator Ricky Dimon used a “crickets” emoji when noting Federer’s missing public congratulatory message.

Federer after Nadal wins an ATP 250:

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character...."

Federer after Djokovic wins Grand Slam title No. 23:

🦗

— Ricky Dimon (@Dimonator) June 11, 2023

Veteran tennis journalist Mike Dickson also wrote Nadal’s social media message to Djokovic was “prompt and classy” — highlighting the differences between the Spaniard and Swiss legend’s public displays.

The speculation may be completely unfair and unwarranted to Federer, who has proven time and time again to be a graceful champion who has set the sportsmanship bar impossibly high for the generation that is following him.

However, that hasn’t stopped a knee-jerk reaction from Djokovic fans wondering where Federer is right now.

It’s not the first time there have been suggestions Federer has tended to favour Nadal over Djokovic.

Most famously, Federer posted a message of warm congratulations when Nadal tied his record of 20 slam titles after winning the 2020 French Open final against Djokovic.

His message to Nadal was undeniably classy, but it was noticed that Djokovic was not mentioned once.

Federer said in the flattering message it was an “honour” to share the record with Nadal.

Catherine Whitaker said on The Tennis Podcast at the time that Federer’s message made Djokovic the “third wheel” again.

David Law also said on the podcast at the time: “Federer didn’t mention him in the note, which I must admit I did look down and I thought, ‘Oh, no, can’t see that’. Maybe that’s just an oversight.”

While that is one side of the conspiracy theory, there is also the fact that Federer did congratulate Djokovic after his triumph at the 2023 Australian Open.

The jacket says it all. Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images.

“Incredible effort, again,” Federer wrote on his Instagram stories.

“Many congratulations.”

While Federer wasn’t among those to send an immediate message, there were plenty of tennis legends that did.

Aussie icon Rod Laver posted on Twitter: “Congratulations on winning 23 majors @DjokerNole and cementing your legacy in another commanding performance at Roland Garros.

“Your skill and unwavering mental fortitude on all surfaces is astonishing. Kudos to Casper Ruud, who valiantly pushed this great champion all the way.”

American great Andy Roddick wrote: “Tough to make any numbers based argument against

@DjokerNole being the best! If you’re making an argument against, it’s likely based on feelings and not record. Congrats on 23! Crazy to even think that’s possible.”

American TV commentator Patrick McEnroe wrote simply: “Incredible. Legend”.

Iga Swiatek, one day after her title run past on her congratulations.

Djokovic had to respond to the prickly question about being the GOAT with 23-slams in his post match press conference, but was quick to pay respect to those around him.

“Thank you. I don’t wanna say that I am the greatest because I feel it’s a disrespect for all the champions from different eras of our sport,” he said.

“Those that played in totally different way that is played today. Each great champ has left a legacy”.

When asked about the Big Three rivalry, he said: “I spent countless hours of thinking how to win against Federer and Nadal. Those 2 guys were occupying my mind in the last 20 years quite a lot.

“It’s amazing to know that I’m ahead of both of them in Grand Slams. But everyone writes their own history.”

Victory for the third time in Paris, after 2016 and 2021, adds to Djokovic’s 10 Australian Open titles, seven at Wimbledon and three at the US Open.

Djokovic is the first man to win all four majors at least three times and is once again halfway to the first calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.

Novak Djokovic had no trouble with Casper Ruud. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Only Margaret Court and Serena Williams in women’s tennis have managed to rack up 23 Grand Slam titles. Court’s all-time mark of 24 will now be in his sights at Wimbledon next month.

Everyone but Swedish great Mats Wilander believes the debate over tennis’ greatest player is now over.

“Despite whatever anyone may still say, Novak Djokovic is now undoubtedly the greatest player of all time,” British tennis great Tim Henman said on Eurosport.

“Any statistical way you cut it, there has never been a tennis-playing dude better at playing tennis than this dude,” tweeted tennis scribe Ben Rothenberg.

“If there was a GOAT debate ... it’s over,” added fellow tennis journalist Jose Morgado.

Even The Big Three, a Twitter account dedicated to Djokovic, Nadal and Roger Federer, declared: “As it stands now, Djokovic is the greatest men’s player of all time.”

It was only Wilander who believed some doubt remained.

“Does Novak winning 23 means he’s the GOAT? I suppose so. On the other hand, Nadal has won the Olympics,” Wilander said.

“I would like to see Novak get to 24, 25 or 26, so there would be no discussion. To say that anyone is greater than Roger Federer is kind of tough.”

This is what Novak Djokovic looked like when I first watched him play against Andy when they were 11. What an incredible career he has gone on to have. Record breaking 23 Grand Slam titles ….. 🐐 ⭐️ 🇷🇸 👏👏👏👏👏@rolandgarrospic.twitter.com/wvfH0wlFFw

— judy murray (@JudyMurray) June 11, 2023

There is little sign of Djokovic slowing down - and his victory prompted current player Tennys Sandgren to predict he’s “got five more in him to be honest”.

He is now the oldest French Open champion but 11 of his Slam trophies have been won after he turned 30.

Today he will reclaim the world number ranking and start his 388th week in top spot.

The sense of the occasion certainly attracted sports A-listers. NFL legend Tom Brady watched from the Djokovic box, football stars Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sat side-by-side in the VIP area which also accommodated former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, a regular this weekend.

Djokovic was playing in his seventh French Open final and boasted a 4-0 career record over Ruud, not having lost a single set.

Casper Ruud has still never won a set against Djokovic. (Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images)

However, the fourth-ranked Norwegian was the more composed of the two at the start, sprinting out of the blocks for a 2-0 lead when Djokovic shanked an overhead.

Ruud, the 2022 runner-up to Nadal, stretched to 3-0 and 4-1 before Djokovic retrieved the break in the seventh game when his opponent buried an easy smash into the net with an open court begging.

It came at the end of a lung-busting 28-shot rally.

Djokovic missed a break point in the ninth game, tumbling to the red clay as he chased down a Ruud drive.

However, like all great champions, he found a way to steady himself and take control of the match.

Djokovic broke for love at 6-5 in the third set and sealed his place in history when Ruud went wide after three hours and 13 minutes.

The champion saluted his box where coach Goran Ivanisevic and wife Jelena sat. “I know I can be a nightmare,” said Djokovic. “I want to thank you first of all for patience and tolerance and that stands out. I was really torturing you so I appreciate you being my rock, and my support and really believing in me.”

A record haul

Australian Open (10) — 2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023

French Open (3) — 2016, 2021, 2023

Wimbledon (7) — 2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022

US Open (3) — 2011, 2015, 2018

– with AFP