Novak Djokovic loved the Coupe des Mousquetaires. © APA/afp / EMMANUEL DUNAND

Djokovic very emotional: “Message to every young person”

It is the emotions of one of the greatest athletes in history that burst out of Novak Djokovic on Sunday evening. Images that will shape the sport of tennis.

June 12, 2023

From: dpa/fop

Novak Djokovic kissed his wife Jelena deeply, hugged his children and hugged noble fan Tom Brady in the stands. On Sunday at 18.43:23 p.m., the Serbian superstar was overjoyed as he lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires into the Parisian evening sky as a trophy for his XNUMXrd Grand Slam title and was celebrated as the sole record winner in tennis history. In a high-class French Open final, the 36-year-old defeated Norwegian challenger Casper Ruud 7:6, 6:3, 7:5.

“I am more than happy in my life that I have won 23 Grand Slam titles. It’s an incredible feeling,” enthused Djokovic and thanked his family and friends. “You know what we've been through. You know how hard it can be. I thank you for your patience and tolerance.” He posed with his family for souvenir photos at the net, and his son Stefan was allowed to hold the trophy. The magical 23 was already emblazoned on Djokovic's jacket.

Djokovic thanks the stars in the audience

With football icon Brady and football greats like Kylian Mbappé as supporters in the stands, he triumphed for the third time in his seventh final in the clay court classic. “I hope you had fun,” he said to the sports stars. “This is a great honor.”

“23 is a number you couldn’t think of just a few years ago – and you did it!” Rafael Nadal

With his 23rd Grand Slam title, Djokovic left the Spaniard Rafael Nadal (22) behind him; he was already ahead of Roger Federer (20). “The truth is that I have always compared myself to them, they are the biggest rivals I have had,” he said of the two. “You defined me as a player.” Nadal congratulated just a few moments after the triumph. “Congratulations on this great achievement,” Spanier wrote via Twitter. “23 is a number you couldn’t think of just a few years ago – and you did it!”

Novak Djokovic shaking hands with Casper Ruud (l.). © APA/afp / EMMANUEL DUNAND

After the triumph, Djokovic described his own path into sports history with emotional words. “I want to send a message to every young person. Whatever you want to achieve, whether in tennis or elsewhere, as a seven-year-old I dreamed of winning Wimbledon and becoming first in the world,” said Djokovic. “I am beyond grateful and blessed to be standing here with so many accomplishments. I feel like I had the power to take control of my own destiny.”