Novak Djokovic has won a record 23rd Grand Slam title courtesy of a straight-sets victory over Casper Ruud in the final of the French Open.
The Serb made a slow start to the match by his own high standards, but recovered to win the first set in a tiebreaker before going on to seal a 7-6[1], 6-3 7-5 triumph.
The win sees Djokovic move out on his own in terms of Grand Slam titles, rising clear of Rafael Nadal - who was absent from Roland Garros due to injury - as the most successful player in the history of men's tennis.
Djokovic's title is also his third at the French Open, having won on the Paris clay in 2016 and 2021, meaning that he becomes the first man to win every Grand Slam at least three times.
In men's and women's tennis, only Margaret Court has now won more Grand Slam titles, and Djokovic will have the chance to equal her all-time tally of 24 at Wimbledon next month, as well as aiming to level Roger Federer's record of eight Wimbledon titles.
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Nadal's absence from the tournament meant that Djokovic arrived in Paris as the favourite to make it two out of two for Grand Slams this year, and that status only grew after overcoming world number one Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-final.
Casper Ruud was attempting to end his own unwanted record of losing all of his previous Grand Slam finals, and he made a dream start by breaking at the first available opportunity and racing into a 3-0 lead in the first set.
However, Djokovic soon began to improve and stormed back to take the set on a tiebreak, before moving into a 3-0 lead himself en route to a 6-3 win in the second set.
The final set went with serve until 5-5, before Djokovic broke to serve for the tournament, taking the victory with his second championship point when Ruud sent a forehand wide.
The win means that Djokovic will regain his world number one ranking and remains on course to become the first man to complete a calendar Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969.
Barney Corkhill
