Novak Djokovic got off to a stressful start but, as we’ve come to expect from the 36-year-old, steadied himself late in set one and ultimately finished strongest during a far-from-straightforward three-set victory over three-time Major finalist Casper Ruud – clinching a record-breaking 23rd Major title by doing so.
He stands alone: Djokovic makes more history in Paris
Djokovic [3] bt. Ruud [4] 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5
- 23 and counting: Djokovic surpasses record jointly-held with Rafael Nadal for most Major singles titles, while becoming first man to achieve triple career Grand Slam and the tournament’s oldest champion at 36y, 20d
- DJOKOVIC: “Roland Garros has always historically been the toughest, I’ve failed a lot against Nadal and Stan. 2016 was one of the greatest moments, 2021 too and now this year? I don’t know what to expect when I play on clay, I’m super overwhelmed,” as Serbian secures third RG title
- World no. 4 Ruud successfully defends his finalist points from twelve months ago, but again finishes a spirited runner-up – albeit more competitive circumstances than his maiden Major final against idol Nadal
- RUUD: “Obviously tough, Novak makes it difficult for you – doesn’t start the greatest but goes into this mode where he makes balls, guesses right corner every time, it’s tough to find winners and if you’re too defensive he’ll control you around the court,” as Norwegian insists he’ll continue to work
- 11 of Djokovic’s 23 Major titles have come post age-30, as Wimbledon defence awaits next in three weeks’ time and Surbiton champion Andy Murray jokingly hopes his agemate ‘takes his eye off the ball’ before SW19
Since returning to clay in mid-April, Novak Djokovic was 5-3 on the surface before this fortnight began. It’s no secret this is his least favoured and the scene of some painful defeats previously, but the best-of-five format presented opponents problems.
Few have managed to solve them, something he told Eurosport gives him renewed confidence – especially against the young guns.
His coach, Goran Ivanisevic, wasn’t worried by such form and the niggling injuries again cropping up over the course of another Major where he was thoroughly tested.
[On the topic of injuries] “I wasn’t in a perfect state physically – I’m not 26 anymore – but try not to think about age, the body responds differently so I have to take it [the game] to them, be the aggressor, control the pace.
Clay is a different surface, you have to mix it up, Casper loves the surface… I managed to play the best tennis in the most important moments.”
As mentioned in the title, he began slowly but Casper Ruud’s inability to seize set one sharply proved decisive. Any celebration is sure to be short-lived as the grass court season is already underway and a record-equalling eighth Wimbledon title is in sight.
The match itself
A love-hold to start your third Major final is always ideal, but Ruud’s afternoon got even better after 15 minutes as Djokovic framed an overhead smash – having just saved two break points – giving him a 2-0 lead after an 11-minute service game.
Ruud had a bit more difficulty consolidating it, but did so as Djokovic eventually got on the scoreboard with a love-hold of his own.
That didn’t suddenly spark an improvement in ball-striking rhythm from the Serbian, netting rally balls and missing more of the groundstrokes he often makes with ease as Ruud’s scoreline advantage grew.
Djokovic couldn’t help but smile after missing another smash at 15-30 on the Norwegian’s serve, as a graphic showed Ruud had won 8-of-11 rally points they contested over eight shots in length.
He didn’t win the next though, netting a smash in the match’s longest rally to that point – 28 shots – as Djokovic cranked up his defence and broke back at 4-3.
A brilliantly disguised slice drop shot gave Ruud an immediate break back point, but Djokovic held firm with a timely pair of winners before the pressure started to mount on the 24-year-old’s serve next.
His powerful forehand had worked well enough, but often fired back with interest as the 22-time Major champion’s influence was gradually growing.
Saving break point and assertively too, Ruud attacked the next game as Djokovic served to prolong set one. Two excellent points, particularly the second, gave him a half-chance to break again:
He didn’t, held serve in the subsequent game as Djokovic complained to umpire Damien Dumusois about starting the changeover clock too early.
74 minutes down, into a tiebreaker they went and Djokovic began it ominously, with a forehand up-the-line winner and serve-and-volley point that worked well, culminating with a drop volley winner at the net.
Ruud was rushed into a few cheap errors, and soon enough lost the breaker 7-1.
Novak Djokovic played 55 points in six tiebreaks – didn’t lose one – across this tournament, with no unforced errors made and only 13 points lost.
Djokovic’s tiebreak record improved to 15-4 and he went on a six-point run to start set two – putting the former world no. 2 under duress early on serve.
Reading the Norwegian’s shot patterns easier during their extended baseline exchanges and returning well enough to earn three break points, he nudged ahead and was good value for a 3-0 lead of his own. This graphic told its own story:
Ruud had a half-chance to break Djokovic, down 4-2, but more forehand miscues served to subdue a Philippe-Chatrier crowd searching for more high-octane tennis.
He saved two set points at 5-2, but Djokovic clinched a commanding two-set advantage in the subsequent game as the finish line neared.
Ruud served first in the third, noticeably striking balls better than a tame and flat second set by his expectations. The only problem?
Djokovic was doing the same and didn’t let anything faze him. An overdue time violation warning on serve might’ve rattled him 90 minutes earlier.
Instead, he responded with an ace down the t and had that steely look in his eye, whipping fearsome forehands as he eventually broke Ruud to go 6-5 up.
Soon enough, came a trio of championship points. Ruud sprayed a forehand long on the second, Djokovic notching his second Roland-Garros title in three seasons.
Picture source: Getty Images, quotes via Eurosport broadcast
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