TENNIS NEWS – CAREER GRAND SLAM COMPLETE AS NOVAK DJOKOVIC CAPTURES ELUSIVE FRENCH OPEN TITLE 2016 BY RICKY DIMON

Written by: Staff on 5th June 2016

French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros

TENNIS NEWS - CAREER GRAND SLAM COMPLETE AS NOVAK DJOKOVIC CAPTURES ELUSIVE FRENCH OPEN TITLE 2016 BY RICKY DIMON

epa05347560 Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with ball children and the trophy after winning against Andy Murray of Britain their men's single final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 05 June 2016. ? EPA/ROBERT GHEMENT |

When Novak Djokovic contested his first French Open final in 2012, he was already just one tournament short of the career Grand Slam. He got denied that year by Rafael Nadal, and the King of Clay also halted Djokovic’s quest in 2014. In 2015 it was Stan Wawrinka who toppled the Serb in more unexpected fashion, again leaving him one win shy of lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires for the first time.

At long last, Djokovic is over the hump.

The world No. 1 overcame Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 in the title match at Roland Garros on Sunday afternoon. Djokovic needed three hours and three minutes to beat Murray for the fifth time in seven major final meetings.

After dropping the first set, Djokovic steamrolled the Scot for two full sets and almost all of another. Somewhat understandably, he finally had a hiccup right at the finish line–failing to serve out the match at 5-2. Murray quickly held to build even more pressure for Djokovic’s 5-4 service game, but this time there would be no additional comeback for the underdog. A routine hold for Djokovic soon left him flat on his back in triumph.

Andy Murray of Britain in action against Novak Djokovic of Serbia during their men’s single final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 05 June 2016. EPA/Caroline Blumberg

“I entered the court quite prepared,” the winner reflected. “I started well first game, and then I dropped four games. You know, nerves kicked in. I needed a little bit of time to really find the right rhythm and start to play the way I intended, which happened in the beginning of the second and practically till 5-2 in the fourth set. It was flawless tennis. I really felt like I played on a high quality and putting a lot of pressure on Andy’s serves and just trying to hang in there.

“[On] the last point, I don’t even remember what happened. It was really one of those things–moments where you just try to be there…. Yeah, a thrilling moment; one of the most beautiful I have had in my career.”

And what a career it has been. Djokovic is now the eighth man in tennis history to complete the career Grand Slam. He is also just the third man to hold all four major titles at the same time, joining Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969). Additionally, the 29-year-old moved into a tie for fourth on the all-time major list with Roy Emerson at 12. Only Roger Federer (17), Pete Sampras (14), and Rafael Nadal (14) own more.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays against Andy Murray of Britain during their men’s single final match at the French Open tennis tournament at Roland Garros in Paris, France, 05 June 2016. EPA/YOAN VALAT

The Parisian crowd that witnessed Djokovic’s previous shortcomings, most notably in last season’s final against Wawrinka, were eager to see history. And that is exactly what they saw.

“What Novak achieved today is something extremely special,” Murray explained, “and a lot of people would have wanted to have seen that and been a part of that. He deserves the support he gets.”

Ricky contributes to 10sballs.com and also maintains his own tennis website, The Grandstand.

Topics: 10sballs.com, Andy Murray, Atp World Tour, Clay tennis, French Open final, French Open Tennis, Murray vs Djokovic, Novak Djokovic, Ricky Dimon, Roland Garros 2016, Sports, Tennis News

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June 5, 2016 at 10:24 pm

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