Djokovic Finally Conquers France for Grand Slam

He now holds all 4 majors, which hasn't happened since 1969
By Newser Editors and Wire Services
Posted Jun 5, 2016 11:23 AM CDT
Djokovic Finally Conquers France for Grand Slam
Serbia's Novak Djokovic clenches his fist after scoring a point in the final of the French Open tennis tournament against Britain's Andy Murray at the Roland Garros stadium in Paris, France, Sunday, June 5, 2016.    (Michel Euler)

Novak Djokovic became the first man in nearly a half-century to win four consecutive major championships and finally earned an elusive French Open title to complete a career Grand Slam, beating Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday. This was the top-seeded Djokovic's 12th appearance at Roland Garros, and his fourth final, and after being stymied over and over in years past, he managed to cast aside a shaky opening set to dominate No. 2 Murray the rest of the way, buoyed by a supportive crowd that repeatedly chanted his nickname, "No-le!" When his victory was sealed, Djokovic took a racket to etch a heart in the red clay that had given him such heartache in the past and dropped down on his back.

Since losing the 2015 final in Paris, Djokovic has won 28 Grand Slam matches in a row, from Wimbledon and the US Open last year, to the Australian Open in January, and now, at long last, the French Open. The last man to hold all four major titles simultaneously was Rod Laver in 1969, when he earned a calendar-year Grand Slam. Djokovic now can set his sights on that ultimate tennis achievement, because he is halfway there. The 29-year-old Serb's first French Open trophy goes alongside six from the Australian Open, three from Wimbledon and two from the US Open to give him a total of 12. Among men, only Roger Federer (with 17), Rafael Nadal (14), and Pete Sampras (14) own more.

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X