Novak Djokovic staged an indefatigable comeback against Stefanos Tsitsipas at the French Open final on Sunday to beat the Greek star 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to clinch his 19th Grand Slam title.
Tsitsipas had shown hunger for his first French Open title. Djokovic, however, went into the match seeking a Grand Slam win, hoping to get within one major title of Nadal and Roger Federer.
The Greek star saved a set point to win a compelling opener on a tie-break and looked to be cruising towards the title when he comfortably took the second, but Djokovic showed once again why he can never be written off.
The victory moved Djokovic one major title behind the men’s record jointly held by Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.
“The atmosphere and ambience was truly electric,” Djokovic said. He continued on to thank his family and his team for all their support.
“I think nine hours of tennis in less than 48 hours against two grand champions … it was not easy, physically, mentally,” he said. “It was very, very difficult for me.”
Djokovic’s win comes one day after Barbora Krejcikova won her first Grand Slam title at the French Open, an unseeded who overcame the odds to defeat Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova.
Having won the French Open title on Saturday, Krejcikova gave a tribute to her former coach, Jana Novotna, who died of cancer in 2017.
