Djokovic completes career Grand Slam
Djokovic beats Murray for 1st French Open title, becomes third man in history to hold all 4 Slams at same time ‘ Biggest moment of my life’
Serbia’s Novak Djokovic gives a thumbs up as he holds the trophy after winning the French Open final against Britain’s Andy Murray 3- 6, 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 4 at the Roland Garros Stadium in Paris, Sunday. Djokovic is only the third man after Don Budge and Rod Laver to hold four majors at the same time, and the eighth man to triumph at Wimbledon and the French, US and Australian Opens.
Paris, June 5: Novak Djokovic captured a first French Open at the 12th time of asking on Sunday, becoming just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
The world number one downed old rival Andy Murray 3- 6, 6- 1, 6- 2, 6- 4 to claim a 12th career major and join Don Budge in 1938 and Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969, as the only players to simultaneously possess the French Open, Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon trophies.
Djokovic, 29, also put himself halfway to the calendar Grand Slam, last achieved by Laver 47 years ago.
But he did it the hard way as the final reached its conclusion, being broken in the eighth game of the fourth set as he served for the title and then squandering two championship points in the 10th before he sealed victory when Murray netted a backhand.
“It’s a very special moment, perhaps the biggest moment of my career,” said Djokovic.
Playing in his 20th final at the majors and sixth in succession, the Serb superstar is the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to win the Australian and French Opens back- to- back.
Victory also allowed Djokovic to stretch his winning record over 29- year- old Murray to 24- 10 overall and 82 in Grand Slams.
Murray remains with two Grand Slam titles as he failed to become the first winner of the French Open since Fred Perry 81 years ago.
Djokovic admitted to a prematch TV interviewer that it was certain to be an emotional afternoon although he was quickly into his stride, breaking Murray to love in the first game and shrugging off having to play five days in the last six.
The British star broke back to level before reeling off the next four games for a 4- 1 lead as Djokovic’s game quickly and unexpectedly unravelled.
Murray remained in charge, finding time to loudly berate a French television interviewer for climbing uninvited into his player’s box overlooking the court.
Djokovic then argued with umpire Damien Dumusois for refusing to have a point replayed at 15- 0 as Murray served for the first set.
But the Serb was horribly out of sorts even before that spat with his 13 unforced errors proving fatal.
The world no. 1 had to shake off a break point in the opening game of the second set before Murray obligingly imploded, dropping serve to fall 2- 0 behind.
Djokovic misread the geometry on a dropshot which would have given him a double break in the fourth game but he was soon 4- 1 to the good.
The top seed remained dialled- in, broke again for 5- 1 and levelled the final.
Djokovic broke for 2- 1 in the third set which became 4- 1 off a sublime running, backhand, cross- court drop- shot.
The Serb saved four break points to go to 5- 1 before securing the set.
Djokovic kept his foot on Murray’s throat, breaking in the first game of the fourth set as the second seed carried on a running argument with the umpire over the positioning of the overhead camera.
The Serb broke to love for 52 and history was just moments away. However, there was still time for a twist as he cracked when serving for the title before finally sealing the triumph after three hours on court.
I felt today something that I never felt before at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd, I drew the heart on the court, like Guga ( Gustavo Kuerten), which he gave me permission to do. My heart will always be with you on this court. — NOVAK DJOKOVIC