“What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal, winning all four of the grand slams in one year is an incredible achievement and this is something that is so rare in tennis”. It is always great when somebody can win all four grand slams.
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Coach Marian Vajda felt this may have been Novak Djokovic’s last chance to win a maiden French Open title.
Murray remained in charge, finding time to loudly berate a French television interviewer for climbing uninvited into his player’s box overlooking the court.
Djokovic’s win also means he joins Don Budge, in 1938, and Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969, as the only players to have been in possession of the French Open, Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon trophies at the same time.
He also holds all four grand slam titles and fellow-great Federer, who missed the French Open due to injury, saluted his rival following his exploits in Paris.
“Today, I probably experienced one of the most handsome moments in my professional tennis career”, the Serb told CNN.
However, Djokovic has now accomplished one exceptional feat that neither Federer, Nadal nor any recent competitor can match. But Djokovic, thrice a runner-up, dismantled Andy Murray for the 2016 French crown, 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4. It’s tough to say greatest but according to the grand slams he’s getting close to Federer and close to Nadal. ‘They were both not a match but a couple of sets away from doing that a few times in their careers.
“These two guys, and Andy as well, have helped me to become a better player and helped me achieve all these things”, said Djokovic. I have my records, he has his and we both now the emotions we had while achieving them.
“Nadal and Federer were so dominant in the sport when Andy and myself came into the mix”.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life”, Djokovic said. At the beginning I was glad not to be part of their era.
As for completing a season slam, he went on: “Winning this trophy gave me so much happiness and fulfilment”.
“I’m trying to enjoy and cherish this moment”, he said.
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“Fortunately for me I realised that I need to get stronger and that I need to accept the fact that I’m competing with these two tremendous champions”. It was like my spirit had left my body and I was just observing my body fight the last three, four exchanges, going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake, which happened.
