French Open final LIVE: Novak Djokovic makes tennis history with record-breaking grand slam win
Djokovic becomes the first man to reach 23 grand slam titles after beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the Roland Garros final
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Novak Djokovic has made tennis history by winning a men’s record 23rd grand slam title after beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final at Roland Garros.
Djokovic defeated Ruud 7-6 6-3 7-5 to win his third French Open crown and move ahead of his great rival Rafael Nadal to take the outright lead in the men’s grand slam race for the first time. The victory moves the 36-year-old Serbian level with Serena Williams on 23 major titles, one short of Margaret Court’s overall record of 24.
Djokovic also becomes the oldest ever French Open champion at 36 and is now halfway to completing the calendar grand slam - a feat not achieved in men’s tennis since Rod Laver won all four majors in a single year in 1969. Djokovic will head to Wimbledon next month looking to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight singles titles at the All England Club.
Follow live reaction from the French Open final below after Djokovic made history at Roland Garros.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result
With his victory in the final against Ruud, Djokovic’s aura continued to deny the next generation on the biggest stage. Even at 36, beating Djokovic over best of five sets at a grand slam remains one of the toughest tests in sport and is a challenge that only Nadal and Medvedev have managed to overcome in the past three years. Djokovic has now won 11 of his last 13 grand slam finals; Ruud, the runner-up to Nadal last year, is now without a victory in his first three.
But the Norwegian threw everything he could at Djokovic in an epic 81-minute first set and took a much more aggressive approach than in last year’s final defeat to Nadal, putting his more experienced opponent under pressure behind his heavy forehand. As Djokovic was forced into uncharacteristic errors and Ruud controlled the longer rallies, the Serbian trailed 4-2 but broke back to force the first-set tiebreak. As it so often does, Djokovic found an extra gear and his game increased to its highest level. For the sixth tiebreak in a row at this year’s French Open, Djokovic did not commit a single unforced error as he crushed Ruud 7-1 in the decider.
It set an ominous tone for the rest of the match: Djokovic broke Ruud immediately with another huge effort at the start of the second, sucking the life out of the match and his opponent. Once ahead, Djokovic offered up no opportunities on his serve to close out the set in almost half the time of the first. At the end of the third, with Ruud threatening to force a tiebreak, Djokovic won eight points in a row to hold serve and then break his opponent, reaching an unplayable level.
Novak Djokovic wins French Open to claim record-breaking grand slam title
Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud 7-6 6-3 7-5 to win his 23rd grand slam title
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!
Hugely emotional scenes as Djokovic goes to his box to celebrate the moment.
Djokovic has spent most of his life playing catch up to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Only now, at 36, has he finally reached the summit to stand alone at the top.
With his victory in the French Open final, the Serbian has claimed a men’s record 23rd grand slam title, moving ahead of his great rival Nadal on the most successful court of the Spaniard’s career. Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud on the clay of Roland Garros to claim his third French Open crown, also becoming the first man to win each of the four grand slams at least three times. Djokovic is now level with Serena Williams with 23 grand slams, while Margaret Court’s overall record of 24 is the next target.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!
HISTORY FOR NOVAK DJOKOVIC!
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 6-5 Casper Ruud
This is history... Djokovic goes wide on the forehand...
But he’s still got two more chances. He takes his time to settle...
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 6-5 Casper Ruud
This is tennis from the gods...
Nine points and counting...
10...
Forehand winner from Djokovic! Make that 11 points in a row!
THREE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS!
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 6-5 Casper Ruud - BREAK!
Djokovic saves his best for last! He flashes an unstoppable forehand winner past Ruud to bring up three break points.
And there it is! Djokovic controls Ruud from the baseline and puts away the backhand winner past his opponent.
That was one of the best return games you will ever see.
Djokovic moves a game away from the French Open title - and history.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 5-5 Casper Ruud*
Djokovic holds to love again with an unbelievably good forehand winner. Ruud shakes his head. He was nowhere near that.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 4-5 Casper Ruud
Djokovic starts with a forehand winner, and then hangs on at 0-15. He had no right to be in the rally but the drags a drop shot into the net! That could have been it.
Instead, Ruud battles back and gets a vital hold as Djokovic fires wide on the forehand.
The balance of play is much more level now.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 4-4 Casper Ruud*
Now a chance! Ruud thunders the return at Djokovic, who is caught off guard, and it gets the 24-year-old to 0-30.
That really gets the crowd going...
Net cord! Unbelievable, it drops Djokovic’s way! There are boos from the crowd! As if Djokovic meant that...
15-30.
ACE. 30-30.
Crushing forehands from Djokovic! It’s back to 40-30.
Djokovic is called for a time violation! More booing...
Djokovic responds with another ACE! What a response. He holds his racket up to the sky.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 3-4 Casper Ruud
Ruud is getting the crowd back into this now as the third set reaches its business end. The Norwegian puts away a smash to get the hold.
The crowd are still a bit restless though and Djokovic has to wait as a Mexican wave dies down... Don’t think the match needs that.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies