French Open final LIVE: Novak Djokovic makes tennis history with record-breaking grand slam win
Djokovic becomes the first man to reach 23 grand slam titles after beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the Roland Garros final
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Novak Djokovic has made tennis history by winning a men’s record 23rd grand slam title after beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final at Roland Garros.
Djokovic defeated Ruud 7-6 6-3 7-5 to win his third French Open crown and move ahead of his great rival Rafael Nadal to take the outright lead in the men’s grand slam race for the first time. The victory moves the 36-year-old Serbian level with Serena Williams on 23 major titles, one short of Margaret Court’s overall record of 24.
Djokovic also becomes the oldest ever French Open champion at 36 and is now halfway to completing the calendar grand slam - a feat not achieved in men’s tennis since Rod Laver won all four majors in a single year in 1969. Djokovic will head to Wimbledon next month looking to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight singles titles at the All England Club.
Follow live reaction from the French Open final below after Djokovic made history at Roland Garros.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 3-3 Casper Ruud*
Djokovic extends his run of points on serve to ten in a row before Ruud is eventually able to stop the streak at 30-15. Djokovic is again just so comfortable as he closes it out.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 2-3 Casper Ruud
Djokovic is pushing so hard for this break... He crushes a forehand past Ruud on the turn to bring up another break point, but the Norwegian is still battling hard. Ruud digs in to save it and produces an ace out wide to edge ahead again.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 2-2 Casper Ruud*
Is this guy human? Djokovic crushes the forehand winner down the line to seal another love-hold. It’s just one-way traffic right now.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 1-2 Casper Ruud
Stunning from Djokovic - but then surprising! He takes on a forehand and puts it away for a clean winner to move 30-40 on the Ruud serve and bring up break point. It’s followed by a poor backhand, with Djokovic overstretching on the shot down the line.
Deuce. Ruud battles well in the baseline rally. Djokovic nets.
And that’s a big hold for Ruud: a confidence booster to save break point.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 1-1 Casper Ruud*
Djokovic is looking like the best server in the world at the moment. A love-hold gets him started in the third.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 0-1 Casper Ruud
Ruud faces such a long road back now... it should be a bonus to serve first in this third set. Djokovic immediately threatens with a cutting backhand pass to move to 15-30, but Ruud is grateful to find a couple of big serves and get out of trouble with the hold.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
SET! Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 Casper Ruud*
Winner down the line from Djokovic! He closes out an emphatic second set. The Serbian kept up the level of the tiebreak to take the break at the start of the second, and then gave his opponent nothing on the service games.
Too good.
#23 is a set away.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 5-3 Casper Ruud
So good... Djokovic crushes a stunning inside-out forehand past Ruud to move two points away.
The slice from Ruud goes low into the net...
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
*Novak Djokovic 7-6 5-3 Casper Ruud
Big error from Ruud after Djokovic palmed the ball back, blasting wide on the forehand.
It puts Djokovic two points away at 15-30...
Djokovic thrashes the return straight back at Ruud’s feet! Stunning return, and Ruud is forced out.
Two set points...
Ruud saves both! Awesome forehand this time from the fourth seed, taking it on from inside the baseline.
And that’s a nice hold. Ruud forces Djokovic to serve it out.
French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score
Novak Djokovic 7-6 5-2 Casper Ruud*
Ok, here we go! Brilliant hitting from Ruud, adding some pace back to his forehand. Djokovic is pushed behind the baseline and Ruud puts away the smash.
15-30. Ruud’s backhand catches the baseline... but the second backhand is dragged wide!
Still a chance at 30-30...
Nope. Not like that. Ruud goes into the net on the forehand and then again on the overhead from the baseline.
Djokovic shuts the door and moves a game away.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments