Novak Djokovic created historical past on Sunday when he captured a record-breaking twenty third Grand Slam title with a 3rd French Open triumph, reinforcing his case to be topped the best participant of all time. The 36-year-old Serb disregarded an early wobble to defeat Casper Ruud of Norway 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-5 and snap the tie of twenty-two Slams he shared with career-long rival Rafael Nadal. “It’s an incredible feeling to win 23. I’m beyond grateful and blessed to be standing here with so many incredible achievements,” stated Djokovic as Nadal instantly described his rival’s victory as “an incredible achievement”.

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

“It’s no coincidence that my 23rd Grand Slam title has come here because it has been the hardest one for me to win in my career. I am very emotional right now and I am very, very proud,” added Djokovic who fired 11 aces and 52 winners in complete previous Ruud.

Djokovic is the primary man to win all 4 majors at the least thrice and is as soon as once more midway to the primary calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.

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

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

There is little signal of Djokovic slowing down. He is now the oldest French Open champion however 11 of his Slam trophies have now been gained after he turned 30.

On Monday, he’ll reclaim the world primary rating and begin his 388th week in prime spot.

“Many congrats on this amazing achievement. 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!” tweeted Nadal, a 14-time Roland Garros winner who missed this yr’s event by way of damage.

Ruud added sportingly: “Novak, another day, another record for you. And another day you rewrite tennis history once again.”

The sense of Sunday’s event actually attracted sports activities A-listers.

NFL legend Tom Brady watched from the Djokovic field, soccer stars Kylian Mbappe and Zlatan Ibrahimovic sat facet by facet within the VIP space which additionally accommodated former world heavyweight boxing champion Mike Tyson, an everyday this weekend.

Place in historical past

Djokovic was enjoying in his seventh French Open ultimate and boasted a 4-0 profession report over Ruud, not having misplaced a single set.

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

It was to be Ruud’s solely service break all afternoon.

Ruud, the 2022 runner-up to Nadal, stretched to 3-0 and 4-1 earlier than Djokovic retrieved the break within the seventh sport when his opponent buried a simple smash into the web with an open courtroom begging.

It got here on the finish of a lung-busting 28-shot rally.

Djokovic missed a break level within the ninth sport, tumbling to the pink clay as he chased down a Ruud drive.

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

Fired up, he then raced by way of the tiebreak, sealing the opener with a working forehand.

Tellingly, that was Djokovic’s sixth tiebreak at this French Open and in none of them had he dedicated a single unforced error within the 55 factors contested.

‘I generally is a nightmare’

Despite being Djokovic’s junior by 12 years, Ruud, who additionally misplaced the 2022 US Open ultimate to Carlos Alcaraz, instantly appeared spent.

Djokovic broke for 2-0 within the second set and regardless of Ruud saving two set factors within the eighth sport, the Serb moved nearer to his dream.

Ruud saved a break level within the third sport of the third set earlier than Djokovic was hit with a warning for taking too lengthy between factors.

But he wasn’t thrown out of his stride.

Djokovic broke for love at 6-5 and sealed his place in historical past when Ruud went huge after three hours and 13 minutes.

The champion saluted his field the place coach Goran Ivanisevic and spouse Jelena sat.

“I know I can be a nightmare,” stated 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.”

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