23 Grand Slams, 3 Grand Slams! How much longer can Djokovic win at 36?
This year's French Open men's singles final ended on the 11th. Serbian king Djokovic defeated Norwegian star Ruud 3-0 and became the first male player in tennis history to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Djokovic, who won the third French Open, threw off the "King of Clay" Nadal who was unable to participate in this year's French Open due to injury, and monopolized the first place in the Grand Slam championship list. Djokovic also became the first male tennis player to win at least 3 championships in each of the Grand Slams (three Grand Slams). In the eyes of foreign media, the 36-year-old Djokovic has sufficient strength, and the "time to take over" for young players seems to be far away.
"I don't want to call myself the greatest player"
Djokovic said after the game, "My 23rd Grand Slam crown was achieved in Paris, which is very symbolic. In my career, the French Open has always been an insurmountable mountain. To be able to achieve 23 crowns here is amazing. Very satisfied." Djokovic also emphasized the importance of having a dream, "Whether you pursue tennis or anything else - when I was 7 years old, I dreamed of winning Wimbledon one day and becoming the number one in the world. I feel that I have the ability to rewrite my destiny, and every cell is felt that."
Asked if he considered himself the "greatest player of all time," Djokovic replied: "I don't want to be in that discussion, and I don't want to claim to be the greatest player, that would be disrespectful to the great champions who came before. They have different laws, lived in different times, and each of them has left a unique legacy."
The 14th French Open champion Nadal congratulated Djokovic on social media after the game: "A few years ago, 23 was an unimaginable number, but you did it! Enjoy it with your family and team!"
According to Reuters, the "Big Three" have dominated men's tennis over the past 20 years, winning 65 Grand Slam titles. Djokovic also talked about the two old opponents in the post-match press conference: "Thank you for the confrontation between us, and the countless hours I spent thinking about how to defeat them. They shaped me today. In the past 15 years, they Takes up a pretty big part of my mind — I mean on a professional level."
Djokovic is currently the only player in the "Big Three", and he has won 21 consecutive Grand Slam matches. Djokovic won the Wimbledon championship in July last year, then missed the US Open because he was not vaccinated against the new crown, and then won the Australian Open in January this year, and now he is at the top of the French Open.
Sweeping the four Grand Slams in a single season?
According to Reuters, Djokovic has the opportunity to extend his lead in the number of Grand Slam titles, and the grass court season is approaching, where he will compete for an eighth (Wimbledon) title. Djokovic said: "I am looking forward to winning Wimbledon again, I have won the last four Wimbledon and it feels good on grass."
According to Reuters, the 41-year-old Federer won 20 Grand Slams and ended his career last year; the 36-year-old Nadal has a difficult task, and next year may be his last year to participate in the tour; better.
If Djokovic wins consecutive championships at the upcoming Wimbledon and the US Open, he will achieve the achievement of sweeping all Grand Slam titles in a single season. The only players to do this in history are Australian tennis legend Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) and former American tennis player Don Bakke (1938). It is worth mentioning that the U.S. government previously adjusted the epidemic prevention policy to allow foreigners who have not been vaccinated against the new crown to enter the country. procedural impediments".
Just one more Grand Slam win would tie Djokovic's record for singles Grand Slam titles for both men and women, including before the Open Era, held by Margaret Court (Australia) since 1960. By 1973, she had won the Grand Slam women's singles championship 24 times. After the French Open, Djokovic made no secret of his continued desire to win the championship: "The journey is not over yet. I still want to play the best tennis in the Grand Slam, and I don't intend to end my 20-year career."
"There are many minor injuries, but no major injuries"
Before this year's French Open, Djokovic's physical condition did not seem to be very good. His elbow injury made many fans sweat. Young players such as Alcaraz, Rudd and Rooney are considered to be more powerful to win the championship. popular. However, once he entered the game, Djokovic showed his "steel perseverance" and sophisticated ability to use skills and tactics, defeating his juniors one after another to win the French Open trophy. Djokovic has faced a total of 7 players in this French Open, most of whom are more than 10 years older than him.
Djokovic's semi-final match against Spanish rising star and world No. 1 brother Alcaraz is regarded as the "battle of scepters" in men's tennis. The official website of the French Open stated that this game showed Djokovic's incredible staying power. He found a way to reach the peak of his state when he needed it most. Alcaraz is the youngest player in the semi-finals of the French Open since Djokovic in 2007, but now it seems that Alcaraz's dream of winning the championship has to wait.
Agence France-Presse stated that Djokovic shows little sign of slowing down. He is now the oldest French Open champion, and he has won 11 Grand Slam trophies after the age of 30. Djokovic's long-term coach, Goran Ivanisevic, said: "He has a software in his head that switches when the Grand Slams come. He has been in good physical shape -- lots of minor injuries, none of the major ones. "
According to Reuters, Djokovic still has the opportunity to win more championships, so as to maintain his leading position in the number of Grand Slam titles. On the 12th, Djokovic regained the world No. 1 from Alcaraz, officially starting his 388th week of the world No. 1 tour.
