Novak Djokovic Draws Level With Serena Williams
Roland Garros
June 11, 2023
Novak Djokovic fell down on the clay and smiled at the history he had made at Roland Garros by moving ahead of Rafael Nadal for major title triumphs.
The Serb has been battling Nadal and the great Roger Federer for as long as we can remember. It looks as though Novak has finally won that epic three-way fight for good.
Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud 7-6 (7-1), 6-3, 7-5 to notch Grand Slam number 23.
And realistically we have to doubt whether Rafa will ever win another. Perhaps it’s time for us all to accept that Djokovic is the greatest male player of all time.
Yet the fight for overall supremacy isn’t over. Not if Novak wants to be known as the greatest man or woman ever to have held a tennis racquet.
Djokovic currently shares top spot in the open era with the magnificent Serena Williams, who also won 23 Slams before retiring recently.
Novak Djokovic must win Wimbledon 2023 to equal Margaret Court’s major tally of 24, acquired in far less demanding times during the 20th century.
But he may feel it’s more significant to edge ahead of his fellow modern-day great, Serena. To think otherwise would be to disrespect the women’s game and Serena herself, an iconic figure who transcended the sport.
And that historic balance makes Wimbledon 2023 an even more important event than usual.
These landmark achievements don’t come around every year – or even every decade. Djokovic is on the verge of something truly special.
Wimbledon 2023 is where we could see Novak Djokovic make further, lasting history.
But he seemed to be falling short for a while in Paris. For most of the first set against his Norwegian opponent the favourite looked out of sorts.
Whether blinded by the sun or stiff from previous exertions, Novak lost his way early on against a sharp-looking Casper.
Key smashes went uncharacteristically long. Suddenly Djokovic was 1-4 down and staring a potential upset in the face. His breathing seemed laboured as he sucked in the dusty Chatrier air.
We wondered whether, like Serena before him, he might have been feeling the weight of history on those familiar shoulders.
If that was ever the case, he put his own mind at rest quickly enough. Djokovic always seems to find an extra gear when it matters.
Novak Djokovic is the personification of resilience and confidence.
Almost imperceptibly at first, he increased the pressure on Casper and watched him start to crumble. Novak’s self-belief is extraordinary.
The most obvious imbalance in confidence levels came in the tie-break, when Djokovic was at his most imperious and self-assured.
To win that breaker so decisively was to send a convincing message to his fellow finalist that there would only be one eventual winner.
Unnerved, Ruud fell away at the start of the second set, just when he needed to strike back. The crowd looked mildly disappointed at the threat of a Djokovic romp for the remainder of the match.
Ruud’s failure even to try to reach the nonchalant swipe that earned Novak the second set hinted at capitulation. But Casper provided much stiffer resistance in the third.
Although his belated defiance made for a better final, ultimately it came to nothing. Djokovic summoned stroke-play from the tennis gods to break and serve out the match.
Maybe it’s just time to salute a true sporting superstar for all that he is. Brilliantly balanced, utterly lethal, and mentally stronger than everyone else on tour.
Who wouldn’t want to see the reigning champion, Novak Djokovic go for Grand Slam number 24 at the magnificent setting of Wimbledon 2023?
Could he even pull off a Calendar Slam this year?
Book your seats to see one of the very greatest sportsmen of all time, playing in the most glamorous and historic Grand Slam arena of them all – Centre Court, Wimbledon.