The legend of tennis legends is called Novak Djokovic.

The Serbian Champion wrote his name in golden letters in the history of the sport today at the Philippe Chatrier tournament in Paris, becoming the all-time Grand Slam leader after defeating Casper Rudd 3:0 (7:6(1)). , 6-3, 7-5) in the Roland Garros final.

Nole won 23 trophies at Major tournaments (10 Australian Opens, 7 Wimbledons, 3 US Opens, 3 Roland Garros) is an achievement unmatched by any other tennis player in the history of the sport. Before the start of the final in Paris, Djokovic totaled 22 Grand Slam trophies, the same number as Rafael Nadal, but since Sunday afternoon, the 36-year-old absolute ruler!

🏆 I always raise the bar 🏆@JokerNole Masters Casper Ruud 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 to win a third Roland Garros title and an unprecedented 23rd Grand Slam men’s singles title.

⁰#RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/9IfTi39alB

— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023

Although he didn’t get off to a good start (Rudd led 3-0 in the first set), Djokovic quickly got back on his feet and achieved his 21st consecutive Grand Slam victory (Wimbledon 2022, Australian Open 2023, Roland Garros 2023). ). and the 23rd major trophy that puts him at the top of the respective list, while from Monday (12/06) he will return to number one in the world rankings, continuing his unbeaten record of 388 weeks at the top of the ATF.

She also became the first tennis player to celebrate Grand Slam victory at least 3 times, a feat only achieved by Margaret Court, Stephanie Graf and Serena Williams.

With the appearance today in the final, “Knole” became the 2nd oldest finalist in the history of the tournament (since 1925) at the age of 36 years and 20 days (American Billy Tilden at the age of 37 years and 4 years). months before the Roland Garros final in 1930.

Closing 💪#RolandGarros | @JokerNole pic.twitter.com/iXLA1QsD75

— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023

On a night full of records, Djokovic broke another one. With his 34th appearance in a Grand Slam final, he tied with Chris Evert (33 for Serena Williams), and in the men’s competition has already outstripped Roger Federer (31) and Rafael Nadal (30).

In the 3rd final of the Major tournament, in fact, out of the last 5 in which he took part, Casper Rudd could not lift his first trophy. Just like last year, when he lost in Paris to Rafael Nadal, so today, again in the City of Light, he lost to Novak Djokovic.

Before the race, he was the Tour leader on clay from the start of the pandemic in 2020 until today. The 24-year-old Norwegian (world No. 4) has 87 wins on clay (since 2020), ahead of Stefano Tsitsipas (68), Carlos Alcarat (64) and Novak Djokovic (55 with today’s victory).

Djokovic and Rude showed amazing tennis in the first set of the final. An hour and 21 minutes later, it was the Serb who smiled in the tie-break 7-6 (1) and took the lead 1-0.

The Norwegian started the match perfectly with a break on Djokovic’s first serve and took the lead 3-0. The 24-year-old took the lead 3-1 and 4-2, and Knowle stepped on the gas pedal to win back the break to equalize the score at 4-4.

Since then, the two tennis players have gone “hand in hand” and resolved their differences in a tie-break, where Djokovic lost just one point to Rudd and with a clenched fist went to his chair (1: 0).

With psychology… on his side, “Nole went very strong in the second set, broke quickly and went up 6-3 and 2-0 relatively comfortably.

In the third set, a huge battle unfolded, in which the two finalists went from safety to 10 games (5-5). However, on the 11th, Djokovic, who over time, instead of getting tired, increased … speed, with unimaginable throws, made a break and led 6-5.

He then had no problem finishing 7-5 and celebrating his 23rd Grand Slam trophy knowing it was the apotheosis of the world.