Novak Djokovic has loved quite a few great moments all through his unimaginable profession. The 24-time Main winner lately spoke about his most important achievements and talked about final 12 months’s Roland Garros as one of many highlights of his excellent tennis journey.
Novak was a participant to beat at Majors final 12 months, successful three titles from 4 finals and cementing the GOAT race. Djokovic matched Rafael Nadal’s Main titles on the Australian Open and claimed the record-breaking one at Roland Garros.
Carlos Alcaraz & Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
The Serb lifted his third trophy on Court docket Philippe-Chatrier and have become the primary participant with 23 Main crowns. The 36-year-old grew to become the oldest Roland Garros champion and the one participant to gather three titles in any respect 4 Majors.
Novak didn’t like his kind forward of Roland Garros, scoring solely 5 wins at three clay-court occasions. Nevertheless, as many occasions earlier than, the legend offered his finest tennis on the most notable scene, delivering the twenty third trophy at his seventieth Main in a profession!
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 11, 2023 Novak’s numbers en path to the record-breaking Main crown
Remembering the event, Novak praised his degree in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz and Casper Ruud, toppling two younger rivals and lifting a trophy. Djokovic outplayed seven rivals throughout the fortnight and offered unimaginable numbers. The Serb dropped two units in seven encounters.
He clinched 184 factors greater than his opponents, producing extra environment friendly numbers behind the primary and second serve. Novak stole 55,8% of the return factors and turned them into 39 breaks from 82 alternatives. His rivals couldn’t observe that tempo.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
They transformed 16 of 54 break factors, which was sufficient just for two units claimed by Karen Khachanov and Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic wrapped up the event with 400 winners, 227 from the sector and 173 from his preliminary shot!
He stayed underneath 200 unforced errors and welcomed 247 from the opposite facet of the web. Additionally, the rivals drew 107 errors from the legend, who responded with 153, attacking and retaining the stress away. Novak offered 21 holds at love, which generated an extra increase of confidence.
The Serb stood sturdy within the shortest allies as much as 4 strokes, constructing a 427-316 benefit. He dominated the mid-range exchanges and cast a 67-50 lead in essentially the most prolonged ones to wrap up the title in fashion.
Novak Djokovic secures a spot in his seventh #RolandGarros last.
Rewatch the Highlights of the Day by Emirates.#FlyBetter pic.twitter.com/HMOJEl3cIa
— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) June 9, 2023 Djokovic’s efficiency within the early levels
Novak defeated Aleksandar Kovacevic and Marton Fucsovics in the beginning of the event. The veteran claimed a tie break in every match and sealed the deal in straight units for a spot in spherical three. Alejandro Davidovich Fokina pushed Djokovic to the boundaries within the opening two units.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
Novak misplaced serve 5 occasions and seized seven of 17 break possibilities. The Spaniard adopted the Serb’s tempo for almost three hours, reaching two tie breaks however shedding them. Djokovic landed solely two winners within the third set however made the distinction with two breaks on his tally.
The Serb confronted no points in opposition to Juan Pablo Varillas, reserving a spot in his seventeenth Roland Garros quarter-final! Novak dropped 18 factors in his video games and suffered one break. He stole half of the return factors and offered six breaks that carried him excessive.
Novak Djokovic & Casper Ruud, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
Novak tops Khachanov, Alcaraz and Ruud en path to the trophy
The Serb performed in opposition to Karen Khachanov within the quarter-final and skilled a tricky battle. The Russian claimed the opener and reached a tie break of the second set earlier than Djokovic prevailed 4-6, 7-6, 6-2, 6-4 in three hours and 38 minutes.
Novak collected his forty fifth Main semi-final and entered the final 4 in Paris for the twelfth time. Karen confronted no break factors within the opening two units. He stole the legends’s serve as soon as within the opener and stood shut to an enormous benefit.
Nevertheless, Djokovic claimed the tie break of the second set 7-0 and leveled the general rating. The Serb outplayed the Russian within the third set and grabbed two breaks within the fourth to maneuver excessive. Novak organized the final word semi-final conflict with world no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
Two nice rivals shared the opening two units earlier than the younger gun cracked underneath stress. Carlos felt cramps in his whole physique because the starting of the third set. He took solely two video games within the final two units, propelling the legend excessive.
Alcaraz challenged Djokovic for over two hours within the first two units. Nevertheless, he confronted from the court docket after that, permitting Novak to clinch 12 of the ultimate 13 video games and transfer into his thirty fourth Main last. The Serb secured a spot within the title conflict in Paris for the seventh time, leaving Bjorn Borg on six.
Djokovic chased the record-breaking twenty third Main title versus Casper Ruud and ousted the Norwegian 7-6, 6-3, 7-5 in three hours and 13 minutes. Thus, Novak left Rafael Nadal for good and have become the primary participant with three titles in any respect 4 Majors.
Novak Djokovic & Casper Ruud, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
A 12 months after falling to Rafael Nadal, Ruud booked a spot in one other Roland Garros last. He gave every thing in opposition to the legend, particularly in units one and three, solely to fall within the pivotal moments and decide the runner-up trophy. The veteran served nicely and misplaced serve as soon as.
Djokovic generated ten break possibilities and seized three, doing sufficient to seal the deal in straight units. Novak fired up his forehand and closed the encounter with 68 winners and 44 errors! Casper couldn’t observe that tempo, embracing a 45-50 ratio and failing to take a set.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
Nothing separated them within the mid-range and most superior exchanges. Djokovic stepped in and dominated the shortest rallies as much as 4 strokes, constructing a 64-34 lead and incomes the title in that phase. They traded breaks within the opening set.
Novak raised his degree within the tie break and closed it 7-1 for an enormous increase. The veteran dropped 5 factors on serve within the second set, going through no break factors and retaining the stress on the opposite facet. He seized considered one of six break factors, taking the set 6-3 and transferring nearer to the end line.
Djokovic gave away 4 factors in his video games within the third set and waited for break possibilities. He wasted the primary within the third sport and earned extra at 5-5. The Serb secured a break at love with a backhand winner, transferring 6-5 up and serving for the title.
Novak held at 15 within the twelfth sport, welcoming Casper’s forehand mistake and celebrating one of the vital emotional titles of his profession.
Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros 2023© Stream screenshot
“Clinching the 23rd Major title in Paris last year was one of the most important moments of my career. I did not play at my best on clay ahead of Paris. However, I knew I had always played my best clay-court tennis at Roland Garros, which gave me confidence ahead of another Parisian run. I raised my level and played well at Roland Garros, especially against Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final. I had a clear vision of what to do and how to approach the match. I played well in the final against Casper as well. I collapsed on the court when he missed that last forehand. My children, wife and family were in the stands, and it was one of the most beautiful moments I have ever experienced,” Novak Djokovic mentioned.
