Novak Djokovic Wins Record 23rd Grand Slam

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Facts

  • Novak Djokovic has become the first male tennis player to win a record-breaking 23 Grand Slam singles titles, beating Norway's Casper Ruud in straight sets in the French Open final on Sunday.1
  • The current World No. 3 also becomes the first man in tennis history to win all four grand slams at least three times — a Triple Career Slam. He has so far won a record ten trophies at the Australian Open, three at the French Open, seven at Wimbledon, and three at the US Open.2
  • With his Roland Garros victory on Sunday, Djokovic broke a tie with Rafael Nadal and leveled with Serena Williams. He is expected to equal Margaret Court's all-time record of 24 Slam trophies at next month's Wimbledon.3
  • Djokovic — currently the oldest Roland Garros singles champion in history at 36 years and 20 days of age — missed the US Open last year because the United States banned those without COVID vaccinations from visiting the country.4
  • In January 2021, Australia deported the Serbian ahead of the Australian Open, also over his refusal to get vaccinated against COVID.5
  • Djokovic, who had arthroscopic surgery on June 2, will replace Carlos Alcaraz and return to No. 1 in the ATP rankings on Monday. Djokovic has reportedly spent more weeks at the top spot than any player — man or woman — since the Open era began in 1968.3

Sources: 1USA Today, 2Sky News, 3CNBC, 4Guardian, and 5NPR Online News.

Narratives

  • Narrative A, as provided by IOL. Djokovic's achievements aren't a fluke. The legend won 11 of his Slam trophies after he turned 30 — a relatively late stage in the career of any tennis player — and there is little sign of him slowing down. Love him or hate him, you can't ignore that the Serbian is way ahead of his contemporaries.
  • Narrative B, as provided by Metro. Though Novak Djokovic has now surpassed tennis greats Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer by breaking this record, the poor example set by his platforming of anti-vaccination rhetoric has made him a clear outcast in tennis' Big Three. Regardless of his technical or sporting success, his high-profile, reckless response to COVID will always be more notable.

Predictions