The debate about the best tennis player of all time is closed, practically forever. Now it's time to open another one, probably with the same "outcome" - is it Novak Đoković the best athlete to ever walk this planet?
The phenomenal Belgrade native won a record 23rd Grand Slam title, as he defeated Roland Garros in the final Kasper Rud 7:6, 6:3, 7:5.
He now has one cup more than Rafael Nadal, which is closer to a farewell due to injuries and "the teeth of time", than a new title.
Objectively, he will have a real chance only in Paris next year, which he announced will be his farewell, and who knows how many major trophies Djokovic will have by then.
Wimbledon starts in three weeks, where the 36-year-old Serbian will be the absolute favorite and "hungry" to equal the record Roger Federer, who has lifted the most prestigious trophy eight times, and then even the Grand Slam, which eluded him in 2021, will not be far away...
22 Đoković won the titles in the last 46 appearances at the Grand Slams, i.e. he practically raised the cup on every other
Nole showed that the encounter with history threw him off his pace, as he started the match weakly.
Already in the 2nd game, the Norwegian used the third break chance, so he soon took a 3:0 lead. Djokovic, however, retaliated, equalizing at 4:4 after he "survived" another break chance, and then conceded only one point to his rival in the tie-break.
And that was already the end - the new-old number 1 of world tennis relaxed his hand, easily won the 2nd set, and in the third he broke when it was most important, in the 11th game without losing a point, then routinely used the second match point.
When Rud sent the ball out, Djokovic lay down on the clay of the "Filip Šatrije" stadium, aware that the mission to which he had dedicated everything was over. At least for now...
"This is very special, one of the biggest moments in my career because of the 23rd Grand Slam title. "Maybe it's a coincidence that I won my 23rd title right here in Paris, because this tournament has always been the hardest for me," Djokovic said.
3 Djokovic has the minimum number of cups in all four Grand Slams, which no one has managed. He won three trophies each at Roland Garros and the US Open, seven at Wimbledon, and as many as 10 at the Australian Open.
Rud paid tribute to the tennis great.
"I have to address Novak - this is another day and another record for you. You are rewriting tennis history. It's hard to explain how amazing this all is, how good you are and what an inspiration you are to so many people around the world”.
And Novak had a message for the 24-year-old from Oslo.
"You are among the most respected players on the tour, kudos to you. In today's world, it means a lot, when someone has human, real values. I'm sorry about your score. I want you to win always, except against me. "If I lose earlier in a Grand Slam, I want you to win the title later," said Djokovic.
One of the first congratulations to the new champion came from the ruler of the Bois de Boulogne, Rafael Nadal.
"Many congratulations on the greatest achievement, Novak. Winning 23 Grand Slams is something we couldn't even imagine a few years ago, and you made it happen. Enjoy the success with your family and team," wrote the winner of 14 Musketeer Cups on Twitter.
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