the crazy five numbers of Novak Djokovic’s Grand Slam dominance

Novak Djokovic held his rank. Favorite of this Roland-Garros 2023, with Carlos Alcaraz, the Serb went to the end of Auteuil. Novak Djokovic won the tournament on Sunday June 11, dominating the Norwegian Casper Ruud in the final, two days after taking advantage of Alcaraz cramps in the semi-finals. This new success on Parisian clay cements his legend a little more, and a record that has no equivalent. Here are five examples, between exceptional domination and long-term presence at the highest level.

23 Grand Slam titles, a first

It was one of the major challenges of this 2023 edition. Rafael Nadal forfeited, Novak Djokovic had the opportunity to take control of this prestigious ranking alone. With his victory on Sunday against Casper Ruud, the Belgradois became the first player to reach the bar of 23 Grand Slam titles, a length now ahead of Nadal. And with the health problems of the Spaniard, who will not play again in a Major in 2023, the Serb has free rein to widen the gap a little more in the coming months in this race for trophies so closely scrutinized for the status of “more great player in history.

3 crowns in each of the Grand Slams, unheard of on the men’s circuit

2023 after 2016 and 2021. Novak Djokovic lifted his third Coupe des Mousquetaires awarded to the winner of the Roland-Garros men’s tournament, up to legends of the yellow ball like Ivan Lendl or Mats Wilander. Above all, Djokovic became the first player to have won at least three times each of the Grand Slams: 10 Australian Open, seven Wimbledon, three US Open, and therefore three Roland-Garros. His two eternal rivals cannot say the same: Rafael Nadal has won the Australian Open and Wimbeldon only twice, Roger Federer has only one victory at Roland-Garros.

Djokovic is not, however, the only one in the history of tennis to succeed in such a raid. Serena Williams (seven titles in Melbourne and Wimbledon, six in New York, three in Paris) and Steffi Graf (seven Wimbledon, six Roland-Garros, five Us Open and four Australian Open) had done the same before him on the WTA tour.

70 Grand Slam tournaments played, exceptional longevity

To build such a record, Novak Djokovic has succeeded where many athletes, whatever the discipline, have broken their teeth: stay at the top and last. Whoever will find the rank of world number one after the tournament has just completed his 19th Roland-Garros and does not seem to show any sign of decline. In total, Djokovic played 70 Majors, tied with Frenchmen Richard Gasquet and Fabrice Santoro, the fourth highest total in the Open era. He should quickly melt on Fernando Verdasco (71), still active but at the twilight of his career. The margin of the record duo of Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez remains comfortable, however, with 81 participations in Grand Slam tournaments. Djokovic could reach, at best, this mark in 2026, when he will be 39 years old.

34 Grand Slam finals, record even better

This is a mark that will be difficult to find… And it may not have finished stretching. His final on Sunday was the 34th in which Novak Djokovic has taken part in a Grand Slam. Roger Federer (31) and Rafael Nadal (30) follow. But the Serb is launched in a crazy pace of regularity at this level in Major, since he has played seven finals in the last eight Grand Slam tournaments he has played! Only Rafael Nadal stopped him earlier, in the quarter-finals of Roland-Garros 2022. Djokovic now has Federer’s historic mark in the number of semi-finals played in his sights, 46 for the Swiss against 45. A “formality” or almost.

88.10% of Grand Slam victories, a record still to be found

Novak Djokovic collects laurels, but has not yet completed the collection of achievements. That of the best percentage of victories in Major should also escape him. The Serb is in a very good place, and even took second place in this ranking during Roland-Garros, by depositing Rafael Nadal (87.96%). But the staggering ratio of Bjorn Borg (89.24%, 141 wins for 17 losses) seems unattainable: Djoker would have to win the next six Grand Slam tournaments without conceding the slightest defeat!

However, three new Major titles would be enough to join Roger Federer in the number of Grand Slam matches won: 369 against 348. Enough to keep the beast of the courts still a little hungry.