Novak Djokovic lay on his back, spreadeagled on the ochre hued stage, looking up at a Parisian sky that prounced him the Greatest Of All Time.
Rudd lost 7-6 ( 1 ) 6 -3 7- 5 against Novak Djokovic in his second straight final at Roland Garros on Sunday as the Serbian claimed a record breaking 23rd men’s Grand Slam title.
Casper Rudd has now lost the three Grand Slam finals he has played, but the Norwegian belives he has earned something at French Open this year – the respect of the peers.
This historic victory means that Djokovic is now the men’s sole Grand Slam record holder, alongside countless other records. After years of being blocked by Nadal, the greatest claycourter of all time, at the French Open Djokovic also now has three titles in Paris and he is the first man to win each Grand Slam tournament three times. He will also return to No. 1 for a record extending 388th week as the best player in the World.
TIEBREAK KING
Djokovic’s tenacious temperament was on full display, winning 81- minute opening set. While Rudd dictated the opening salvos taking a 4- 1 lead, Djokovic clawed his way back to enforce the tiebreak. Djokovic would have rubbed his hands with glee, knowing the tiebreaks during the tournament without
making a single unforced error.
He kept that record intact to claim the first set with relative ease, giving him the shot in the arm he needed after a relatively slow start to the match.
With the wind in the back, Djokovic got into his usual rhythm and broke early for a 3-0 lead in the second set. Rudd put up some resistance, but Djokovic purred along to claim the second with with a record 23rd Grand Slam within reach.
Rudd refused to give Djokovic a free pass into the record books and held his serve until the Serbian stole his serve in the 11th game before holding his serve to clinch No. 23. Attention now turns to the grass court with Wimbledon the next Grand Slam of 2023.
