French Open final LIVE: Novak Djokovic makes tennis history with record-breaking grand slam win
Djokovic becomes the first man to reach 23 grand slam titles after beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the Roland Garros final
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter for the latest tips and offers
Sign up to the Independent's betting newsletter
Novak Djokovic has made tennis history by winning a men’s record 23rd grand slam title after beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final at Roland Garros.
Djokovic defeated Ruud 7-6 6-3 7-5 to win his third French Open crown and move ahead of his great rival Rafael Nadal to take the outright lead in the men’s grand slam race for the first time. The victory moves the 36-year-old Serbian level with Serena Williams on 23 major titles, one short of Margaret Court’s overall record of 24.
Djokovic also becomes the oldest ever French Open champion at 36 and is now halfway to completing the calendar grand slam - a feat not achieved in men’s tennis since Rod Laver won all four majors in a single year in 1969. Djokovic will head to Wimbledon next month looking to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight singles titles at the All England Club.
Follow live reaction from the French Open final below after Djokovic made history at Roland Garros.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 4-2 Casper Ruud
Ruud is able to come up with a winner down the line and then gets his hold as Djokovic blasts a forehand over the baseline.
Tom Brady is sitting in Djokovic’s box alongside his wife Jelena. He knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a veteran champion...
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 4-1 Casper Ruud*
Djokovic makes his first double fault of the match but finds a safe time for it up 40-15. Djokovic is able to close it out.
The ending seems inevitable now. Ruud needs to raise it, and find something special to spark the match back into life.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-1 Casper Ruud
Ruud halts Djokovic’s run with a guided forehand winner up the line, but needs to find some energy from somewhere. The match has fallen into a bit of a lull after the tiebreak and Djokovic’s electric start at the start of the second. The two-time French Open champion has the match in control now.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-0 Casper Ruud*
As if it couldn’t get any worse for Ruud, Djokovic’s serve is now looking back to its highest level. Two aces and a big serve up the middle, which allows Djokovic to skip up to the volley and touch it over.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 2-0 Casper Ruud - Break!
Ah, the pressure on Ruud is just getting more intense. Djokovic jumps into a 0-30 lead on the Ruud serve and then guides a backhand return off Ruud’s serve to set up two breaks points.
Ruud saves the first with a brave forehand crosscourt and survives the second as Djokovic went looking for the winner.
At deuce, Djokovic goes after the Ruud second serve puts away the smash, setting up a third break point.
Djokovic turns to his box after missing the return, but he soon sets up another chance with a whipped forehand down the line.
Another break point: and that’s just too good from Djokovic, he pings a sensational return off of a Ruud smash onto the baseline, as the 24-year-old nets.
Djokovic points to his head. That’s a huge break, and the quality of some of his points was off the scale.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 1-0 Casper Ruud*
To make this second set even harder for Ruud, he has to serve second. Djokovic comes out and races to a love-hold.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 Casper Ruud
No surprise that the players head off court for a break before the second set begins. It’s a long interval, though, about six or seven minutes.
We’re ready to go again.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Set! Novak Djokovic 7-6 (1) Casper Ruud
Ridiculous. Another flawless tiebreak from Novak Djokovic. Incredibly, he’s still yet to make an unforced error in a tiebreak at this year’s French Open. He’s played six!
That’s tough on Casper Ruud. The Norwegian started so well and led 4-1 in the first set, but then Djokovic responded in the way we’ve become accustomed to.
Ruud played as well as he might have hoped for there but has nothing to show for it after 81 minutes.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 6-6 (6-1) Casper Ruud - Tiebreak
Just supreme from Djokovic! He catches Ruud out with a tricky dipping backhand. The volley goes into the net! 4-1.
But Ruud just can’t afford to be making these errors! Another loose swing, this time on the backhand, and Djokovic leads 5-1!
ACE! Silly. Stop it. 6-1 and a whole bunch of set points.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 6-6 (3-1) Casper Ruud - Tiebreak
Djokovic has played five tiebreaks so far this French Open - and won all five. This has often been when he’s found his highest level.
And there it is! Running forehand winner from Djokovic down the line! Stunning, the shot of the match so far. 1-0.
Incredible point! It feels as if Ruud is playing at his maximum, but it’s not enough! Ruud had the chance to go down the line but Djokovic read it, and put away the volley. 2-0.
Stunning defence from Djokovic, wild from Ruud on the forehand! 3-0.
Ruud steadies on serve. Forehand winner down the line. Nicely done. 3-1.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies