So when hed finally succeeded in becoming the champion at Roland Garros, beating Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday, Djokovic was naturally focused on that particular accomplishment.
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Caroline Garcia and Kristina Mladenovic wins their first Grand Slam title at the 2016 French Open.
Playing in his 20th final at the majors and sixth in succession, the Serb superstar is the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens back-to-back.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life”, Djokovic said following his win in Paris. You know, I hate to lose, but when I do, I hope it was worth it.
He has made the final in five of the past six U.S. Opens, including two championships, has won the Rogers Cup three times, and is five-time finalist at the Western & Southern Open.
“It’s incredibly flattering to know that Rod Laver is the last one that managed to do it (the calendar-year Slam)”.
He is the tennis version of the Incredible Hulk and on Sunday Novak Djokovic made his closest rivals turn green with envy as he finally achieved something no man had accomplished for almost half a century. “It’s one of the ultimate challenges that you have as a tennis player”, added Djokovic, who endured a nervous conclusion to Sunday’s final.
Despite their declining powers, Djokovic insists he owes Federer and Nadal a great debt for pushing him closer to a historic calendar sweep which could also become a “Golden Slam” should he win the Olympics gold in August.
He served for the title at 5-2 in the fourth set before Murray broke and held to get to 4-5.
Mladenovic and Garcia started the match strong, blasting to an early 5-0 advantage at the start of the opening frame.
Garbine Muguruza is in her second Grand Slam final at age 22.
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But Murray then netted a backhand after a lengthy rally and Djokovic’s place in the history books was confirmed. I didn’t feel too much pressure, honestly. “I’m trying to grasp, and I’m trying to cherish, obviously, these moments right now”, Djokovic said, eyes fixed on that once-elusive Le Coupe des Mousquetaires, resting a foot or so away on a table. I felt the tension and excitement, all the emotions. In the bigger picture, though, there was so much more that was significant and historic about this victory: It made Djokovic the eighth man with a career Grand Slam – at least one trophy from each of tennis’ four most important events – and, even rarer, only the third man to win all of those major tournaments in a row, something last done nearly 50 years ago. At the beginning of his career I thought it would be hard but also we had Rafa more strongly around.
