French Open: Novak Djokovic chasing golden slam, more records after historic Roland Garros success
Djokovic became the first man in the Open Era to claim two or more titles at each of the four grand slams thanks to Sunday’s stunning 6-7 (6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Serbian star Djokovic was two sets down on Court Philippe Chatrier, where he also became the first player in the Open Era to win a slam from two sets behind for his 19th major crown.
“I am thrilled and I’m very proud of this achievement,” Djokovic – who upstaged clay specialist and defending champion Nadal in the semi-finals – told reporters afterwards. “I think part of the history of the sport that I love with all my heart is always something that is very inspiring and very fulfilling for me.
“I couldn’t be happier and more satisfied with this kind of scenario in the last 48 hours. Probably ranks at the top three all-time achievements and experiences that I had in my professional tennis career. Going through a four-and-a-half battle with Rafa on his court, then bouncing back after not practicing yesterday, just coming in today with as much as recharged batteries and energy regained to fight another battle of four-and-a-half hours against Tsitsipas, who is playing in his first grand slam finals.
“It’s always, of course, a bit tricky because you’re playing for your trophy, for your first grand slam trophy, but you don’t have much to lose. So I knew that he’s going to probably start off very well, which was the case. It was a very close first set. Kind of gone a different way, but he was just the better player in those clutch moments. Second set I dropped physically and mentally I think a little bit. I just got fatigued a bit, just allowed him to kind of dominate the second set pretty much.
“Then went out from the court, as was the case against [Lorenzo] Musetti in the fourth round when I was two sets down, and came back as a different player. Just refreshed, managed to make a break, early break in the third. After that, I felt like I got into his head. I feel like I started swinging through the ball better. The momentum was on my side, it shifted. There was no looking back from that moment.”
