‘Impossible’: Tennis world reacts after Djokovic breaks grand slam record

It took only a few seconds for Rafael Nadal to react after Novak Djokovic broke the record they shared for the most grand slam titles.

Novak Djokovic lays on the court after winning the French Open – his 23rd grand slam title. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)

Novak Djokovic created history on Monday morning (AEST) when he captured a record-breaking 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.

“Many congrats on this amazing achievement Novak,” he 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!”

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.

“Your skill and unwavering mental fortitude on all surfaces is astonishing,” tweeted Laver.

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.

“Tough to make any numbers based argument against Djokovic being the best,” tweeted Andy Roddick. “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.”

“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.

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.

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

His frustration boiled over when he angrily accused umpire Damien Dumusois of rushing the players between changeovers on a heavy, humid afternoon in the French capital.

Fired up, he then raced through the tie-break, sealing the opener with a running forehand.

Tellingly, that was Djokovic’s sixth tie-break at this French Open and in none of them had he committed a single unforced error in the 55 points contested.

Despite being Djokovic’s junior by 12 years, Ruud, who also lost the 2022 US Open final to Carlos Alcaraz, suddenly looked spent.

Djokovic broke for 2-0 in the second set and despite Ruud saving two set points in the eighth game, the Serb moved closer to his dream.

Ruud saved a break point in the third game of the third set before Djokovic was hit with a warning for taking too long between points.

But he wasn’t thrown out of his stride.

Djokovic broke for love at 6-5 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