Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud in French Open final at Roland Garros, winning a record 23rd men’s grand slam singles title

Novak Djokovic stands alone at the pinnacle of men’s tennis after defeating Casper Ruud to win his 23rd grand slam title at the French Open.

Since claiming his first at the Australian Open in 2008, Djokovic has been pursuing Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal through the history books but now he has surpassed both, having broken the record he jointly held with Nadal.

Djokovic’s 7-6 (7/1), 6-3, 7-5 victory over Ruud draws him level with Serena Williams and he could equal Margaret Court’s all-time singles mark at Wimbledon next month.

The Serbian, meanwhile, also becomes the first man ever to win at least three slam titles at all the major tournaments — a measure of his all-round greatness.

Ruud had impressed in making it back to the final, where he won only six games against Nadal last year, and was looking for his first title in his third final having also lost to Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open.

He had failed to win a set in four previous matches against Djokovic, though, and missed his chance here in an 81-minute opener before the Serbian pulled away for his 21st consecutive slam victory.

Ruud came out sharp but it was only a question of time before Djokovic made his move and it came at 5-5, a series of superlative groundstrokes earning him the break, and moments later his moment of history.

Djokovic, who has played in the Paris final seven times, told a cheering crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier on Sunday evening that the French Open was always the hardest slam for him to win.

“A lot of emotions here on this court, also off the court,” he said, after lifting the trophy aloft.

The 36-year-old won the title without Nadal in the tournament, with the Spaniard missing the grand slam due to an injury and surgery that will sideline him for the rest of the year.

“I just tried to stay in the present and stick to the tactics and the routines that make me concentrate only on the next point and it worked. It doesn’t always work but it worked very well here,” Djokovic said.

“I want to peak in Slams, I want to play my best tennis there, those are the tournaments that matter the most at this stage in my career.

“And I can’t be more proud and thankful that I again I managed to win at Roland Garros that came as an historic 23.”

After collecting his runners-up plate, Ruud congratulated Djokovic.

“Another day, another record for you and another day you write rewrite tennis history,” said the fourth seed. “It’s tough to explain how incredible it is and how good you are.”

The Serbian returned the praise: “Casper, thank you for your nice words. You are one of the best persons on the tour.

“I really feel that in today’s world, it’s important to note when someone has the right life values. You deserve great respect.

“I’m sorry for the result today. For sure it’s not the best way to finish for you but you’ve had an incredible couple of years here. I wish you to win against anybody except me.”

AP/ABC