Novak Djokovic is one win away from becoming the all-time leader with 23 men’s singles Grand Slam titles.
Djokovic’s biggest rivals–Rafael Nadal, with whom he is tied at 22, and Roger Federer–can’t stop him. The world No. 1–Carlos Alcaraz–already tried and failed to stop him in the French Open semifinals on Friday. All that’s left standing in his way in Sunday’s championship match is Casper Ruud, who is 22 slam titles behind Djokovic with zero.
That’s not to say Ruud should be discounted. The Norwegian has twice come within one win of his own major title but lost to Nadal in the 2022 Roland Garros final and to Alcaraz a few months later in the U.S. Open final. Will the third time be the charm for Ruud? The world No. 4 has given himself another opportunity following victories over Elias Ymer, Giulio Zeppieri, Zhizhen Zhang, Nicolas Jarry, Holger Rune, and Alexander Zverev.
Back on his favorite clay-court surface, Ruud has heated up in a major way over the past couple of weeks. He reached the Geneva final and has been especially impressive over the last three rounds, avenging his Geneva loss to Jarry, beating a red-hot Rune, and crushing Zverev while dropping a total of just one set in those matches.
Now the competition level gets a lot tougher, just as it did in the 2022 Roland Garros final against Nadal. Djokovic had also underwhelmed at times this season, but as usual he is a whole different beast at Grand Slams. The 36-year-old Serb triumphed at the Australian Open and he finds himself in the French Open final following victories over Aleksandar Kovacevic, Marton Fucsovics, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, Juan Pablo Varillas, Karen Khachanov, and Alcaraz.
“It’s going to be tough, for sure,” Ruud commented. “He’s playing for his 23rd; I’m playing for my first. So I’m going to just try to play without pressure and just try to enjoy the moment. I think that was my mentality last year, as well, and it didn’t go my way. Obviously I would like to try to do better than last year. Let’s see if I have learned something from the two previous ones that I played.”
Said Djokovic: “Experience on my side, but does it win matches? I don’t think so. I just have to recover well, be prepared for another long battle, and, you know, after the finals, if I win, let’s talk about history.”
It could, in fact, be a battle–at least for a while. Ruud was in uncharted territory in the 2022 title match against Nadal, who has always been his idol. Unsurprisingly, that was too difficult of a situation for the underdog and he got blown out 6-3, 6-3, 6-0. Ruud improved dramatically in the U.S. Open final, succumbing to Alcaraz 6-4, 2-6, 7-6(1), 6-3. Those experiences can only help the 24-year-old, who will undoubtedly be motivated to do everything he can to prevent Djokovic from passing Nadal.
All of that being said, Djokovic is once again looking like the best player in the world and nowhere is that more obvious than at the Grand Slam level–specifically in slam finals. This may not be a complete rout, but come Sunday evening in Paris we will almost certainly be talking about history.
Pick: Djokovic in 4
23 > (21 + 1)
Anyway congrats Elizabeth and Big Al, and Novak fans, the guy can’t be stopped this year, Enjoy 😊
Thanks, Alison! It’s nice to see you posting here. And I hope life is good for you and your hubby. 😀 xo
Sorry, I am a bit late to respond.
I have to mention the brackets while here. Everyone in the group was off base especially picking WTA Nottingham! The draw was loaded with British players, three of whom are in the SFs! There is no WTA live available to me, but I did watch highlights of the QFs for both Nottingham and Hertoganbosch.
Nottingham SFs: Jodie Burrage vs. Alize Cornet; Heather Watson vs. Katie Boulter.
Hertoganbosch: Kudermetova vs. Hruncatova; Alexandrova vs. Sasnovich.
WTA Bosch draw was not quite the wipe-out that Nottingham was.
Alison and Margot,
I searched for Andy Murray and found him in a Challenger SF in Nottingham. What an inspiration he is! He will be ranked in the mid-thirties, maybe higher if he wins Nottingham. 👍
Look after that trophy Novak, keep it clean, Rafas coming to get it back next year 🏆💪
Congrats to Novak Djokovic 💪👍❤ and to all his fans.
What an amazing player he is definitely winning Wimbledon but not sure of the US Open I hope he wins both of them, 4 slams in a year 💯👏 that would be awesome.
He has been through a lot especially last year, he probably would have 25 slams right now.
One of the best players in tennis history.
One of? I thought the last argument/ glimmer of hope for Rafa fans was slam count now that Novak has surpassed his slam count too what’s left to discuss.
Thanks Alison/Sweetstan.
Ruud played really well and Nole really had to raise his game there.
Anyone who can reach three Slam finals must be decent opposition esp the way he destroyed Zverev.
I dont think you can talk negatively about this achievement its his third RG title on his ‘worst’ surface and 23 Slams in the era of the Big Three .
As for next year , will we see Rafa v Nole again? In the RG final? That would be interesting for the record books, their combined ages for starters…
And theres been some great discussion lately on here, about the ‘lesser’ non-Big Three players- good to see it doesnt all revolve around them .
If I remember well you (Big Al), in the conversation with other poster, after Nole won AO, predicted Nole winning FO and picked the song to be played for Nole winning FO, do you remember that and what was the song?
Oh yes.Parisienne Walkways!
Yes, that’s the one.
Also enjoyed seeing Yannick there celebrating 40th anniversary of Noah’s Arc de Triumphe!
You’re welcome Big Al, I’m a fan of Novak as well but not just him other amazing players as well.
I just love tennis ❤💯.