PARIS – Novak Djokovic insists it is “disrespectful” to hail him as the greatest player of all time, after clinching a record-breaking 23rd men’s Grand Slam title on Sunday.
He defeated Casper Ruud 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5 in the French Open final, breaking the tie of 22 majors he shared with long-time rival Rafael Nadal. He equals Serena Williams’ total, with both one behind Margaret Court’s record of 24 Slams.
A third Roland Garros title added to Djokovic’s 10 Australian Open, seven Wimbledon and three US Open trophies. The Serb is the only man to win all four Slams at least three times and on Monday, returned to world No. 1 for a record-extending 388th week.
“I don’t want to say I’m the greatest, because I feel it’s disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in completely different way than it is played today,” he said.
“So I leave those kinds of discussions to someone else. I have huge faith, confidence and belief in myself and for everything that I am, who I am and what I’m capable of doing.”
However, despite becoming the oldest French Open champion at 36 years and 20 days, he warned he is not done. When asked if he could win 24 or 25 Slams, he replied: “Why not?”
After all, 11 of his Slams have been secured since he turned 30.
Retirement is a long way off for a man who has already seen Roger Federer hang up his racket with 20 majors, while 37-year-old Nadal, sitting out the rest of the season with injury, has already said 2024 will be his last as a professional.
“The journey is still not over,” said Djokovic. “I feel if I’m winning Slams, why even think about ending the career that already has been going on for 20 years?
“I still feel motivated, inspired to play the best tennis in these tournaments. Those are the ones that count the most in the history of our sport.
“I now look forward to Wimbledon (in July),” added Djokovic, as he seeks to equal Federer’s record of eight All England titles.
Rod Laver in 1969 was the last man – and the only one in the Open era – to sweep all four Slams in the same year. Djokovic came agonisingly close to emulating the great Australian in 2021 but was defeated by Russian Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final.
His coach Goran Ivanisevic hailed Djokovic for being able to install special “software” every time a Grand Slam tournament rolls around.
“It’s fascinating to see, because sometimes you think, okay, now you have 23. But he’s gonna find, again, some kind of motivation to win 24, maybe 25, who knows where is the end?” said Ivanisevic.
“He’s keeping his body great. He’s unbelievable, still moving like a cat on the court. He’s there, like a ninja.”
However, the former Wimbledon champion admitted Djokovic is “not an easy guy”, such is his intensity to make history.
“Especially when something’s not going his way. But we are here to get beaten, we are here for him to feel better, for him to perform better.
“Sometimes it’s very complicated. But overall, this is for what you live for, tournaments like this, finishing like this.”
Djokovic arrived in Paris having endured a mediocre clay-court season, failing to get beyond the quarter-finals of the three events he played. There was the added worry of the recurrence of a long-standing wrist injury.
“The day we arrived here, he was better, more motivated, more hungry,” said Ivanisevic, who believes Djokovic’s victory over then-world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals was key in his title push.
The killer instinct was evident in Sunday’s final. Ivanisevic noted: “Like (former player Andy) Roddick said, he takes the legs, then he takes your soul, then he digs your grave. You have a funeral and you’re dead.” AFP, REUTERS
