Novak Djokovic makes wild piece of French Open history, dethrones Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic has dethroned Rafael Nadal in wild fashion at the French Open - claiming a crazy piece of history few thought would be possible.

Novak Djokovic has gotten one over Rafael Nadal, dethroning the Spanish master at his favourite Grand Slam.

Djokovic booked his place in the quarterfinals of the French Open after registering his fourth consecutive straight-sets victory.

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The 22-time Grand Slam winner proved too strong for Juan Pablo Varillas as he recorded the 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 win.

He’ll now face number eleven seed Kharen Khachanov with a semi-final spot up for grabs for the victor.

The win however saw Djokovic create a wild piece of French Open history as he became the player with the most quarterfinals reached at the major of all time.

Entering the tournament he was locked atop the leaderboard with Nadal at 16-all, but now sits alone at the top of the Roland Garros mountain.

Novak is on fire. (Photo by Emmanuel DUNAND / AFP)

The statistic is even wilder when you consider the sheer dominance Nadal has had on the clay surface for almost 20 years.

Nadal has made 18 appearances at his favoured Grand Slam, falling short of a quarterfinals berth in 2009 and 2016.

In the 16 times he’s advanced to the quarterfinal stages he’s only failed to go on to win it all on two occasions. Both losses came at the hands of Djokovic, in 2015 and 2021.

Djokovic has now appeared at the Grand Slam 19 times, only failing to reach the quarterfinal stage twice. In 2005 when he made his debut and then again in 2009.

Unlike Nadal, Djokovic has only gone on to win the French Open two times compared to Nadal’s absurd 14.

Novak Djokovic is out on Philippe-Chatrier facing Juan Pablo Varillas.

If he wins today, he'll set a tournament record for most French Open QFs reached (via @ATPMediaInfo).

Blows my *mind* that Djokovic could have more RG QFs on his resume than Nadal. pic.twitter.com/sxd2IB1ZBk

— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) June 4, 2023

Djokovic has another chance to dethrone Nadal, this time atop the all-time male Grand Slam winners list.

If he can reign supreme at Roland Garros he’ll claim his 23rd Grand Slam crown, moving one clear of Nadal and drawing level with Serena Williams. It would put him one behind the all-time leader Margert Court who has 24 to her name.

The signs for his remaining opponents looks confronting with the Serbian saying he’s feeling better than he has after his recent win.

“(There was) great energy on the court, from the crowd and myself as well,” said Djokovic after the match. “I really enjoyed it, my best performance in the tournament so far.

“It came exactly at the right time, as I’m coming in to the second week and obviously playing another quarter-final, the matches are going to get tougher. Bigger challenges, but I like the way I’m playing and the way I’m feeling, so I look forward to a new challenge.”

New French Open top dog. (Photo by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

The King has fallen. (Photo by Marco BERTORELLO / AFP)

Djokovic can reclaim his World no. 1 ranking with victory at the French Open, a win that would give him his third Roland Garros crown.

“(I’m) definitely better than I did in the last couple of months,” said Djokovic, when asked about if the shot at Grand Slam history serves an additional pressure.

“The past 10 days have been the best that I have felt since the Australian Open, so that’s good. That’s positive news. I just have to keep going and not allow myself to think too far (ahead), but I’m on a good path.”

The Serbian will return to the court on Tuesday night when he goes up against Khachanov.

Djokovic holds an 8-1 record against Khachanov, winning their only previous meeting at the French Open in 2020.