Novak Djokovic’s emphatic four-set win over Andy Murray strengthened his status as one of the game’s all-time greats and brought all four Grand Slam trophies together on his mantelpiece after 12 months of near total dominance.
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Spain’s Garbine Muguruza holds the trophy after winning the final of the French Open tennis tournament against Serena Williams of the U.S.in two sets 7-5, 6-4, at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, June 4, 2016.
“Novak Djokovic made plenty of history Sunday when he beat Andy Murray 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 in the French Open final”.
Not only was it his first French Open title, a feat that means he joins an exclusive club of men to win all four grand slams in their career, but it was also his fourth consecutive grand slam victory, something last done by Rod Laver in 1969.
But it was perhaps fitting that, having been so close to this title so many times before, Djokovic should be made to wait a bit longer. “Me personally being here, it sucks to lose the match but I’m proud being part of today”.
“For me today it feels like his legs didn’t get going, after the second set”, Kuerten told reporters.
Now that he has completed the “Novak Slam”, is it actually possible Djokovic goes on and achieves the calendar Slam this year, notching six consecutives Slams in a row? Djokovic, already convinced there should have been a double-fault there, maintained the point should be replayed.
A French Open champion at long last, and the first man in almost a half-century to win four consecutive major championships, Novak Djokovic grabbed a racket and etched a heart in the very red clay that had given him such heartache in the past. I was struggling. I was a couple of points from going out of the tournament in the first round.
The last of those rare Murray victories came in May’s Italian Open final, also played on clay – a surface the Scot once mistrusted but now looks increasingly at ease on – and in the same damp conditions that dominated this year’s Roland Garros fortnight. It was “flawless tennis” said Djokovic. Later on I realised that in life everything happens for a reason. He then, instead of replaying the point, awarded it outright to Murray, saying Djokovic’s contact with the ball came after the call and so didn’t put him off.
Speaking in French, he said it was the most special moment of his career and thanked the fans for their support, promising to return next year.
It was Djokovic and Murray’s 36th head-to-head with the Serb enjoying a 25-11 success rate.
The French Open was the one Grand Slam tournament the Serb star had not won.
ANDY MURRAY must just about be getting sick of the sight of Novak Djokovic.
“When I broke him the second time and I got to 5-2 in the fourth, I just started laughing”. Gave me very few errors.
Djokovic agreed that saving a break point in the first game of the second set had been important but added: “I think in general, just in the second set, even in that game that I was facing break point, I still felt different than I had in the first set”.
“In an era where history has been rewritten quite often, he’s done something that neither Rafa or Roger has”, said Courier.
“A thrilling moment, one of the most lovely I have had in my career”.
“I don’t know if Wimbledon is my best chance [at No. 18], it might be”.
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On a good day for the French at Roland Garros, Geoffrey Blancaneaux won the junior title in boys’ singles after saving three match points.
