Djokovic wins the French Open to claim a record 23rd grand slam title

Novak Djokovic won the French Open on Sunday to claim a record-breaking 23rd men’s singles grand slam title, surpassing his great rival Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic went toe-to-toe with Casper Ruud in the first set, before blitzing the Norwegian in a tie-breaker and going on to claim the title in emphatic style 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5.

Novak Djokovic kisses the French Open trophy for a third time.Credit: Getty Images

The Serbian has made it clear for years that this was his goal: more grand slam titles than Nadal, more than Federer – this is what drives him, inspires him. The biggest titles from his sport’s biggest stages were Djokovic’s main aim and now he stands alone – ahead of every man who has ever swung a racquet.

If Djokovic could wait this long to hold this record, he could wait for the half-hour or so it took to straighten out his strokes in the first set against Ruud. And so, after a shaky start in thick, humid air and under foreboding charcoal clouds, he imposed himself.

After that, Casper Ruud never really stood a serious chance on Court Philippe Chatrier.

It took just 3 hours and 13 minutes – in the end, there was no epic final, no grinding victory.

The 36-year-old third seed sealed the win when Ruud sent a forehand wide on the second match point. It was over.

Djokovic’s win breaks a tie with Nadal, who has 22 slam trophies – including 14 at Roland Garros – but has been sidelined since January with a hip injury.

The only two other people in tennis history with 23 majors or more are American Serena Williams, who retired after last season with 23 Open-era slams and Australian Margaret Court, who won 24, some during the amateur era.

Djokovic’s first grand slam title came in 2008 at the Australian Open, which he has won 10 times. He’s collected seven at Wimbledon, three at the US Open and three at the French Open – 2016, 2021 and now 2023.

“I am fortunate in my life to win 23 grand slams. It is an incredible feeling,” he said.

“Whatever you are pursuing, tennis or anything else ... I was a seven-year-old dreaming I would win Wimbledon and become No.1 one day.

“One thing is for sure – I felt I had the power to create my own destiny. I felt it with every cell in my body.”

He becomes the first man to have won all four grand slams at least three times – a feat also matched by Williams and Court.

Casper Ruud was outclassed in the final.Credit: Getty Images

At 20 days past his 36th birthday, Djokovic also becomes the oldest singles champion at Roland-Garros, considered the most gruelling of the majors because of the lengthy, grinding points required on the red clay, which is slower than the grass or hard courts used elsewhere.

“It is no coincidence that I won the 23rd grand slam here in Paris because this tournament was really in my entire career the toughest to win,” Djokovic, who has played in the Paris final seven times, said to a cheering crowd.

“Thanks one more time for a special atmosphere, a marvellous one. I am very happy to share this special moment of my career with you in this special stadium.”

Djokovic will also return to No.1 in the ATP rankings on Monday, replacing Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic has already has spent more weeks at the top spot than any player – man or woman – since the inception of computerised tennis rankings half a century ago.

It was Djokovic who eliminated Alcaraz in the semi-finals, wearing the Spaniard down over two thrilling sets until the 20-year-old’s body cramped up.

This was the third slam final loss in the past five events for 24-year-old Ruud, who remains without a major. He lost to Nadal at the French Open a year ago and to Alcaraz at the US Open last September.

Men’s grand slam singles titles (8 or more)

23: Novak Djokovic (10 Australian, 3 French, 7 Wimbledon, 3 US)

22: Rafael Nadal (2 Australian, 14 French, 2 Wimbledon, 4 US)

20: Roger Federer (6 Australian, 1 French, 8 Wimbledon, 5 US)

14: Pete Sampras (2 Australian, 7 Wimbledon, 5 US)

12: Roy Emerson (6 Australian, 2 French, 2 Wimbledon, 2 US)

11: Rod Laver (3 Australian, 2 French, 4 Wimbledon, 2 US)

11: Bjorn Borg (6 French, 5 Wimbledon)

10: Bill Tilden (3 Wimbledon, 7 US)

8: Fred Perry (1 Australian, 1 French, 3 Wimbledon, 3 US)

8: Ken Rosewall (4 Australian, 2 French, 2 US)

8: Jimmy Connors (1 Australian, 2 Wimbledon, 5 US)

8: Ivan Lendl (2 Australian, 3 French, 3 US)

8: Andre Agassi (4 Australian, 1 French, 1 Wimbledon, 2 US)

Reuters, AP

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