PARIS: Every time Novak Djokovic walks onto Court Philippe-Chatrier he scans the arena, taking in the sights. His eyes stayed on some parts more than others.
Across a parapet on the upper tier is a quote that defines the 23-time major winner. The words - Victory Belongs To The Most Tenacious - is engraved on a balustrade. The quote - which French aviator Roland Garros made his own, even inscribing it on his planes' propellers - is attributed to Napoleon I. It has been the Serb's companion for much of his career.
Djokovic - athletic and precise - even carves it out in his play. Tenacity is in his step and swing.
On Sunday Djokovic claimed a record 23rd Grand Slam crown, the most by any male player in the sport. His third French Open title made him the first man in history to win each of the four Grand Slam tournaments at least three times while returning him to the top of the ATP rankings.
Djokovic came into the French Open with five match wins on clay, but his coach Goran Ivanisevic wasn't worried even if it is a surface that asks more of players. "Novak has this software in his head that he can switch on when a Grand Slam comes," the Croat, a former Wimbledon champion, said. "Grand Slam is a different sport compared to other tournaments. The day we arrived here, he was better, he was more motivated, he was hungry. He just switches on his software."
French Open: Novak Djokovic claims record 23rd Grand Slam
Djokovic acknowledged that he came into the second major of the year on rickety form, but that was history as soon as he drove into Roland Garros. He felt different.
Considering the field, which was without the 14-time champion Rafael Nadal, the format played a part.
"I felt that I had a chance, a very good chance against anybody in best-of-five," Djokovic said. "I know that most of the guys feel a lot of pressure coming into a best-of-five match on Grand Slam against me, and that's exactly how I want them to feel. It's good that you have that kind of mental edge."
Ivanisevic, who started coaching Djokovic in 2019, took exception to reports that trumpeted 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz as the favourite to win the Roland Garros semifinal against the Serb.
"I read a lot of papers, a lot of people saying that Alcaraz is a favourite against Novak. The guy had played 33 Grand Slam finals (at that point). He had won 22 Grand Slams," Ivanisevic said.
"Alcaraz is amazing, I love Carlos, and he's going to win, I don't know how many Grand Slams, but you cannot say that he's a favourite. He played better coming here. But this is a Grand Slam. This is nerves. Novak knows. Novak waits."
Ivanisevic then borrowed a line from American Andy Roddick. "Like Roddick said, he takes the legs, then he takes your soul," Ivanisevic noted smiling. "Then he digs your grave and you have a funeral. You're dead. Bye-bye. "
"For sure Alcaraz will be a threat. He's going to be a threat on grass, he's going to be a threat on hard courts, he's going to be a threat everywhere," the Croat said, "But he's still young. You have Novak and you can't ever bet against Novak."
Djokovic, halfway to Calendar Grand Slam, is the favourite to win at Wimbledon, starting in three weeks. "The journey is still not over. If I'm winning Slams, why even think about ending the career," Djokovic said.
Start a Conversation
Post comment