At the 2006 French Open, Novak Djokovic reached the quarterfinals of his first grand slam for the first time in his career at the age of 19. He had already defeated three seeded opponents, including the explosive No. 9 in the world, Fernando González, but grandeur awaited. Djokovic entered Court Philippe Chatrier for his first quarterfinal match against Rafael Nadal, the defending champion who is 20 years old.
It was not the oldest match in what would become a 59-match rivalry. Djokovic retired after two sets, trailing 6-4, 6-4 with a lower back injury. Later, he stated that he had learned from the match that Nadal was not unbeatable on clay and that he would have had a chance if his back had permitted him to serve properly.
“I believe I was in charge because I believe everything depended on me,” Djokovic said after the match. “Based on how I was playing, the result was as such. Even with a sore back, I believe I held my own against him.”
These remarks prompted widespread ridicule and criticism, and they helped shape the early narratives surrounding Djokovic as he labored with his body and retired from several high-profile matches.
Now, 17 years later, Djokovic has surpassed Nadal in the all-time rankings by winning a record-breaking 23rd grand slam title at the same tournament and on the same court. In retrospect, his comments are evidence of the unwavering self-belief that drove the 36-year-old to his objective, even when few believed in him.
Djokovic’s physical fragility, which would hinder him for years, starkly contrasts with the unprecedented vigor that has enabled him to win a record 11 grand slam tournaments and counting in his 30s while still showing no signs of retirement.
Initially, the distance between Nadal and Djokovic only widened. By 2011, three turbulent years after the Serb won his first grand slam title and remained in pursuit of a second, Rafael Nadal had won nine grand slam titles, whereas Roger Federer had won sixteen. He has devoted his entire career to pursuing them.
“Over the past fifteen years, those two men have occupied my thoughts frequently. “From a professional standpoint,” Djokovic said with a smile on Sunday. It’s incredible to know that I’m one grand slam clear of both of them.
During his lengthy post-match press conference on Sunday, following his victory over Casper Ruud in the final, Novak Djokovic mentioned his future without being prompted and stated that he has no intentions to retire shortly. “If I’m winning grand slams, why would I consider ending a career that has already lasted 20 years?”
The next objective for Djokovic is evident – he will resume his pursuit of the Grand Slam.
This is the third occasion in Djokovic’s career that he has begun a season by winning the Australian and French Opens, putting him halfway to his goal of winning the calendar-year grand slam. Last time, when he also attempted to achieve Olympic gold, Djokovic ran out of mental steam at the very last hurdle, and he was defeated in straight sets in the 2021 US Open final by an excellent Daniil Medvedev.
As he strives for tennis’s highest honor, it is uncertain who could consistently oppose him. Clay is one of the most difficult and competitive surfaces, where many tour players learn their trade. On grass, however, few elite competitors have proven their level. Many younger generations are still learning how to move and adapt to the surface, unlike prior generations. Since the US relaxed its vaccination ban, Djokovic can return to the US Open on his favoured surface.
This is also a period of diminished competition in the ATP.
The fitness of Carlos Alcaraz, the only player who appeared capable of competing with Djokovic, was exaggerated. In their Paris semi-final, he cramped after two sets due to tension and nervousness. Medvedev, the other obvious obstacle, continues to be a formidable opponent, but only on hard courts.
Since breaking the record for consecutive weeks at No. 1, Djokovic has cited grand slam tournaments as his primary motivation. This clay season appeared to be the first time that these goals were realized. The intensity and motivation with which he competed in Paris were in stark contrast to his previous struggles. The world No. 1 will try to keep his cool in the final two grand slams.
“I said in Monte Carlo that I don’t count these tournaments: Monte Carlo, Rome, anything,” his coach, Goran Ivanisevic, stated. “This is the only tournament that counts.”
