Djokovic Wins French Open, Completes Career Slam
Top seed Novak Djokovic clinched a first French Open title Sunday, becoming just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.
The world No 1 came from a set down to edge old foe Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 for his 12th career major, and joins 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.
The match began with the crowd standing to applaud Muhammad Ali after an image of the boxing legend, who died Friday, appeared on the giant video screen high up on the Philippe Chatrier court.
Novak completes the career slam. Image: BBC
Second seed Murray played superbly to win the first set but could not convert a break point early in the second, and Djokovic took control to win in three hours.
He becomes only the eighth man in history to accomplish the Career Slam, and could yet match Laver’s achievement of completing the Calendar Slam.
With three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten watching from the stands, Djokovic then emulated the Brazilian by drawing a heart in the clay with his racket.
“It’s a very special moment, the biggest of my career,” said Djokovic. “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, which he gave me permission to do. My heart will always be with you on this court.”
Djokovic, 29, has now stretched his winning record over Murray to 24-10 overall and 8-2 in Grand Slams.
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