History: Novak Djokovic passes Rafael Nadal with record 23rd Grand Slam title at Roland Garros
With his third title on the terre battue, the Serbian becomes the first man in tennis history with a Triple Career Slam.
Novak Djokovic has won the 23rd Grand Slam title of his career at Roland Garros, breaking the record for most Grand Slam titles in men's tennis history.
Previously tied at 22 with Rafael Nadal, the Serbian's latest triumph in Paris—a 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-5 win over Casper Ruud in Sunday's final—has moved him ahead of his Spanish rival, and even deeper into the history books.
MOST CAREER GRAND SLAM SINGLES TITLES (MEN)
- 23: Novak Djokovic
- 22: Rafael Nadal
- 20: Roger Federer
- 14: Pete Sampras
- 12: Roy Emerson
- 11: Rod Laver, Bjorn Borg
- 10: Bill Tilden
HOW IT HAPPENED:
Djokovic has also become the first man to win all four of the Grand Slam tournaments three or more times each—a Triple Career Slam.
He had previously been one of four men with a Double Career Slam, along with Emerson, Laver and Nadal, but again, he moves into a historic class all his own.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC’S GRAND SLAM TITLES, BY GRAND SLAM:
- Australian Open: 10 (2008, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2015, 2016, 2019, 2020, 2021, 2023)
- Roland Garros: 3 (2016, 2021, 2023)
- Wimbledon: 7 (2011, 2014, 2015, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022)
- US Open: 3 (2011, 2015, 2018)
—John Berkok
For years, it was one of the hardest questions to answer in tennis: Who is the greatest of all time?
It may now be the easiest.
With his victory today, Djokovic’s claim to being the greatest has grown stronger than ever. For the first time, he is ahead of both Nadal and Federer in the Grand Slam title count, and as mentioned, he is the first man in tennis history to win at least three championships at all four of the majors. Djokovic owns winning records against Federer (27-23) and Nadal (30-29)—and, by the way, is 5-0 against Ruud. He has won every Masters tournament at least twice, something Federer and Nadal have never done even once, and he holds the most overall Masters titles with 38.
Tomorrow, the 36-year-old will return to the No. 1 ranking for his 388th career week; the next closest player to him is Federer, with 310 weeks. (Nadal is behind several players with 209 weeks atop the rankings.)
It seems silly that Djokovic needed another Coupe des Mousquetaires to become the most-likely answer to tennis' most historic question. But think of this latest Coupe as a coup de grâce.
—Ed McGrogan