PARIS: Novak Djokovic, the 36-year-old Serbian tennis champion, is on the cusp of making history as he faces Casper Ruud in the French Open final on Sunday, with a men’s record 23rd Grand Slam title within his grasp.
Djokovic, already a two-time winner in Paris, can break the 22-Slam tie he shares with Rafael Nadal, becoming both the tournament’s oldest champion and the first man to win all four majors on at least three occasions.
Acknowledging the weight of the moment, Djokovic expressed his focus and the presence of history hovering over him. This will be his seventh championship match at Roland Garros, and victory would not only secure his record-breaking title but also propel him back to the world number one ranking.
However, Djokovic remains cautious and refuses to dwell on the possibility of a calendar Grand Slam, having experienced the pressure’s impact on his previous attempt in the 2021 US Open final. Instead, he is solely focused on winning another Grand Slam title and is well aware of the challenges that lie ahead.
Novak Djokovic’s Opponent in Final
His opponent, Casper Ruud, has reached his first Grand Slam final after being the runner-up to Rafael Nadal in last year’s French Open and reaching the championship match at the US Open. Although the 24-year-old Norwegian has never defeated Djokovic in their four previous meetings, he brings a strong clay court record to the final, boasting the most wins, finals, and titles on the surface since 2020.
Ruud aims to alleviate the pressure on himself and approach the match without feeling the need to win. Meanwhile, Alexander Zverev, defeated by Ruud in the semifinals, believes that the weight of Djokovic’s pursuit of history could potentially affect his performance.
As Djokovic steps onto the court for the final, he remains undeterred by the expectations and embraces his role as the pantomime villain of the sport. He is determined to continue his winning streak despite any criticism or jeers from the crowd.
