Jabar Ekspres – Novak Djokovic created history on Sunday when he clinched a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam title with his third French Open win.
The 36-year-old Serb shrugged off an early onslaught to beat Norway’s Casper Ruud 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-5 and end the run of 22 Grand Slam titles he shared with Rafael Nadal.
“It’s a great feeling to win 23 Grand Slam titles. I am very grateful and blessed to stand here with so many incredible achievements,” Djokovic said, as broadcast by AFP.
The victory for the third time in Paris, after 2016 and 2021, adds to 10 titles at the Australian Open, seven at Wimbledon, and three at the US Open.
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Only Margaret Court and Serena Williams in women’s tennis have won 23 Grand Slam titles. Achieving 24 all-time Grand Slam titles is now Djokovic’s target at Wimbledon next month.
With a French Open win, Djokovic will reclaim the world number one ranking on Monday and begin his 388th week at the top spot.
The French Open final attracted the attention of sports stars, including footballers Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic who sat side by side in the VIP area.
Djokovic was playing in his seventh French Open final and won a career record 4-0 meeting over Ruud, without dropping a set.
However, the world number four from Norway was more composed in this encounter. He led 2-0 at the start of the match.
Ruud, the 2022 French Open runner-up, went 3-0 and 4-1 up before Djokovic reclaimed the break in the seventh game.
Djokovic missed a break point in the ninth game, falling to the red clay as he chased Ruud’s shot. He then cruised through the tiebreak, sealing the opening set with a forehand.
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