French Open 2023
Novak Djokovic has long pursued the formidable duo of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, viewing them as the yardstick by which he measures his own success. These two iconic players set the bar high, and Djokovic has relentlessly strived to surpass their achievements.
As Djokovic steps onto the hallowed grounds of Court Philippe Chatrier for the French Open final on Sunday, his opponent, Casper Ruud, will attempt to prevent the Serbian maestro from etching his name in history by claiming an unprecedented 23rd Grand Slam title. Absent from the tournament this year are Federer, who bid farewell to professional tennis last year, and Nadal, who has been sidelined since January due to a hip injury and subsequent arthroscopic surgery.
Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that Djokovic’s pursuit of this milestone is intrinsically tied to his two great rivals. Back in 2011, when Djokovic embarked on his remarkable journey, Federer possessed 16 major championships, Nadal had accumulated nine, and Djokovic had just one. Merely five years ago, Federer’s tally stood at 20, Nadal at 17, and Djokovic at 12.
Since then, Djokovic has cemented his dominance by capturing ten out of the last nineteen Slam titles, leaving no doubt about his relentless ambition to amass an extraordinary collection of major trophies. Meanwhile, Federer remains at 20, while Djokovic and Nadal stand shoulder-to-shoulder with 22 titles each. Only two players in tennis history have surpassed this number: Serena Williams, who holds the record with 23 titles in the Open era, and Margaret Court, who claimed 24 during the amateur era.
Reflecting on his journey, Djokovic shared his perspective after defeating world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals, stating, “Once again, I find myself in a position to battle for another Grand Slam trophy. I have been extremely fortunate that most of the tournaments I have played in recent years have carried historical significance. I relish this feeling—it is a privilege beyond words. To be able to contribute to the history of a sport I truly adore, a sport that has given me so much, is an incredible honor. The motivation burns bright, as you can imagine. One more to go, and hopefully, I will lay my hands on that coveted trophy.”
However, Casper Ruud, his opponent in the final, is no pushover and will summon his resolve to emerge victorious in a major tournament for the first time. Recognizing Djokovic’s status as the favorite, Alexander Zverev, who fell to Ruud in the semifinals, acknowledged the Serbian’s unrivaled expertise, saying, “Novak is undoubtedly the favorite—there is no question about it. He knows the path to success. He understands the art of winning. But Casper is showcasing exceptional tennis. While I may not bet heavily on Casper, I believe he possesses a genuine chance. He has been playing remarkable tennis, and his place in the final is well-deserved.”
For Djokovic, this will mark his 34th appearance in a Grand Slam final, equalling Chris Evert’s record for the most finals reached by a male or female player. In contrast, Ruud will step onto the big stage for only the third time. Thus far, the Norwegian has endured defeat in both of his previous final appearances, losing to Nadal at Roland Garros and to Carlos Alcaraz at the U.S. Open in 2022.
Ruud expressed his determination to evade
