Novak Djokovic wins French Open, completing career Grand Slam
After losing the first set of Sunday’s French Open final, Novak Djokovic roared back to claim his first title at Roland Garros, beating No. 2 Andy Murray 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4.
With the win, Djokovic joined a select group of players to complete the career Grand Slam by winning the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open. Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson, Andre Agassi, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are the only other players in men’s tennis history to win all four majors.
Djokovic has now won the last four Slam events, becoming the first player in men’s tennis to hold all four major titles simultaneously since Rod Laver in 1969.
“It’s definitely one of the most special moments of my career,” Djokovic said after the match.
• Tennis world praises Djokovic after French Open title
Murray started strong on Sunday, winning the first set 6–3 despite an early break for Djokovic. But Djokovic dominated the match after the first set, only losing 15 points in the second set and making easy work of Murray in the third.
After Djokovic broke Murray to make the fourth set 5–2, Murray rallied to win the next two games. But up 5–4, Djokovic served out the match.
Djokovic is now 24–10 in his career against Murray, who is still seeking his third major title. Murray fell to Djokovic earlier this year in the Australian Open final.
If Djokovic wins Wimbledon and the U.S. Open this year, he will also become the first men’s player since Laver in 1969 to win the calendar–year Grand Slam.
Prior to this year, Djokovic had lost the French Open final three times, twice to Rafael Nadal and once to Stan Wawrinka. After beating Murray, Djokovic was finally able to raise the trophy that has eluded him in 11 previous appearances at Roland Garros.
Djokovic now has 12 career Grand Slam titles.
- Stanley Kay
