Novak Djokovic made history on Sunday morning, becoming the first man in nearly 50 years to win four consecutive Grand Slam titles.
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After a dozen trips to Roland Garros and three losses in the final, Djokovic finally prevailed with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory against Andy Murray.
The 29-year old on Sunday joined Don Budge and Rod Laver as the only players to possess the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and United States open simultaneously after he beat Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 at Paris.
Asked if a similar achievement is something he will now strive for, Djokovic replied: “Well, I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life”.
“Winning it, you know, I felt it”, Djokovic said.
By reaching his first final at Roland Garros, something he never imagined was possible until he found his feet on clay past year, Murray equalled Fred Perry once more by appearing in his 10th slam final.
While Federer (17 majors), Nadal and Pete Sampras (both 14) still top Djokovic in the list of all-time grand slam title holders, it is not inconceivable that within a few years, the Serb will have left everyone in his wake.
Murray, the 2012 US Open and 2013 Wimbledon champion, admitted he was disappointed to lag behind Federer, Nadal and Djokovic but remained confident of adding to his two major titles.
Djokovic could not have played a better first game, landing a ideal drop shot at the end of a long opening rally and breaking the Scot to love.
“Some people may think differently, but the level of tennis I think is pretty high now and something you probably won’t see for a long, long time”, said Murray.
The Serbian faltered only at the sharp end of the match, nervously dropping serve at 5-2 as the prospect of winning his fourth major in a row began to sink in, but sealing the match two games later.
“I entered the court quite prepared”, said the Serb.
The world number one then double-faulted on a first match point and went wide with a nerve-racked forehand on the second. “His performances over the last 18 months to two years have been exceptional”. I didn’t feel too much pressure, honestly.
1937 – Andy Murray was the first British Player to reach the final at Roland Garros since Bunny Austin in 1937.
On a more serious note, the now retired Kuerten said that what Djokovic has been achieving on the court was “scary”.
Djokovic then argued with umpire Damien Dumusois for refusing to have a point replayed at 15-0 as Murray served for the first set. It was really one of those things moments where you just try to be there. It has not happened for an extremely long time and it is going to take a long time for it to happen again.
I need to rest and allow my body to recover.
“Nadal and Federer were so dominant in the sport when Andy and myself came in the mix”.
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With victories in Australia and France already under his belt in 2016, he now heads to Wimbledon and then NY for the US Open in an attempt to complete the clean sweep.
