Novak Djokovic mentioned profitable a file twenty third males’s singles grand slam title on the French Open after beating Norway’s Casper Ruud 7-6(1) 6-3 7-5 was particular on condition that it was at all times his hardest one to win.
The Serbian has now gained probably the most grand slams of any male participant and is the one one to have gained every of the 4 – Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open – not less than thrice.
However of the 23 grand slams, solely three have come on the French Open with rival Rafael Nadal, who has 22 majors, dominating on clay with 14 wins in Paris.
Djokovic has additionally gained ten instances in Australia and thrice on the US Open whereas triumphing seven instances at Wimbledon.
“This match (in Paris) was actually in my total profession the hardest to win,” Djokovic, who has performed within the Paris ultimate seven instances, mentioned to a cheering crowd on Courtroom Philippe Chatrier.
“A number of feelings right here on this courtroom, additionally off the courtroom,” he mentioned, after lifting the trophy aloft.
The 36-year-old gained the title with out Nadal within the match, with the Spaniard lacking the Grand Slam as a consequence of an harm and surgical procedure that may sideline him for the remainder of the 12 months.
Djokovic, who additionally eclipsed Nadal because the oldest champion in Paris after a tricky fortnight, has now gained 21 consecutive Grand Slam match matches.
He gained final 12 months’s Wimbledon, missed the US Open and gained in Australia in January earlier than Sunday’s triumph in Paris.
“I’m being lucky in my life to win 23 grand slams. It’s an unimaginable feeling,” he mentioned.
“No matter you’re pursuing, tennis or the rest, I used to be a seven-year-old dreaming I might win Wimbledon and grow to be No.1 someday.
“One factor is for certain I felt I had the facility to create my very own future. I felt it with each cell in my physique.”
Djokovic can now prolong his lead in grand slam victories with the season transferring over to grass and Wimbledon, the place he’ll bid for an eighth title.
