Novak Djokovic Makes History Wins 23rd Grand Slam Title

Novak Djokovic made history in Paris this past Sunday as he won his 23rd Grand Slam title after defeating Casper Ruud in the Roland Garros final in straight sets 7-6 6-3 7-5. Entering the tournament, Djokovic was the second favourite to win Roland Garros behind Carlos Alcaraz, but his play on the court showed he needed to be the favourite entering the tournament.

It was an accomplishment that was a long time coming. Djokovic now stands alone atop the men’s game with the most career Grand Slam titles. He was in a tie with Rafael Nadal. Each man had 22 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic had just won his 22nd Grand Slam title to start the season in Australia. That was also his 10th title in Australia. The most ever there.

But with history on the line in the Roland Garros final, Djokovic would have to do it inside Court Philippe-Chatrier. Otherwise known as the house that Nadal built. Nadal, who was injured and could not play this tournament and will miss the rest of the year after undergoing hip surgery, had won 14 times at Roland Garros. The most recent one came last year in 2022.

And how fitting was it for Djokovic to win his 23rd Grand Slam title in Rafa’s House considering the rivalry these two men have had over the years. The epic matches include several finals in majors. Who can forget the Australian Open 6-hour-plus marathon these men put on back in 2012. Maybe it would be a little sweeter for Novak if Nadal was there and he played him on the way to Grand Slam title 23, but Djokovic was cherishing this victory once the final point was over.

Djokovic 23 Grand Slam titles put him in a tie with women’s tennis icon Serena Williams for career slam titles. The record holder for most career Grand Slam titles on either side is Margaret Court with 24. Djokovic looks to tie that record at Wimbledon in a few weeks’ time.

This was a grueling match for Djokovic especially the first set which took an hour and 20 minutes to complete. Ruud came out strong against Djokovic. He had a 4-1 lead and appeared to have the set in control serving to go up 5-2. In their previous meetings, Ruud had never taken a set off of Djokovic. Now he was in a position to take his first-ever set and playing well.

However, serving 4-2, 15-0, Ruud shanked a backend that would have put him up 30-0 instead it was 15-15 and Djokovic went to work. He was able to break Ruud and get the match back on serve. Each man saved break points to force a tiebreak. Again Ruud had chances to take control of the tiebreak, but mental lapses allowed Djokovic to win the tiebreak 7-1.

That is the thing about these great players, if you give them any slight opening, guys like Djokovic, Roger Federer (now retired), and even Nadal will take advantage of them. That is why when you have them near the ground you have to take control of the match. Hence what Daniil Medvedev did to Djokovic at the US Open, when Djokovic was going for the calendar slam was so impressive.

Back to the match, once Djokovic took the opening set, you knew he was going to win. He had that fire in his eye and momentum was clearly on his side. The unforced error count started to creep up for Ruud and Djokovic course corrected from earlier in the first set.

The third set was a little tighter as Ruud and Djokovic exchanged games until the score was 5-5. Then Djokovic broke Ruud to go up 6-5 and serve out the match to win his 23rd Grand Slam title.

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The debate will rage on about who is the GOAT (Greatest of All Time) in men’s tennis. Is it Federer, Nadal, or Djokovic? Right now, Djokovic is the best does that make him the greatest of all time?

Early in his career, he said he wanted to have the most Grand Slam titles and to be the best while right now he is the best. Djokovic will continue to rewrite the record books as he looks to go for the third leg of the calendar Grand Slam at Wimbledon.

The question will be can he be the first man since the “Rocket” Rod Laver to win the Calendar Grand Slam? Remember Laver did it twice. The first time was in 1962 and then again in 1969. There is a chance Djokovic can accomplish that feat this year in New York, where he will be allowed to play for the first time since 2021.

Those questions are for later on, but for now, Novak Djokovic stands alone atop the men’s game making history ever time he steps out onto the court.