(June 11, 2023) Novak Djokovic became the the all-time leader in major titles among men with 23, when the Serb beat Norwegian Casper Ruud 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-5 to win his third Roland Garros title on Sunday in a match that lasted over three hours.

Djokovic is now a major ahead of Rafael Nadal who has 22 major trophies. Djokovic who moves to No. 1 on Monday, now stands as the only man in the Open Era to have won each major at least three times.

“Obviously a Grand Slam is a Grand Slam,” said Djokovic during the trophy presentation. “The four biggest tournaments that we have in our sport. Every single player dreams of being on this stage and winning the trophy at least once in their career. I’m beyond fortunate in my life to win 23 times, it’s an incredible feeling.”

“Another day, another record for you,” said Ruud. “And another day you rewrite tennis history. It’s tough to explain how incredible it is and how good you are, and what an inspiration you are to so many people around the world.

“Congratulations to you and your team. I know this tastes probably the best out of all [of your major titles]… I’m happy I’m the first one to congratulate you here, from this stage.”

“I knew that going into the tournament, going into the match, especially, today, that there is history on the line, but I try to focus my attention and my thoughts into preparing for this match in the best way possible to win, like any other match,” Djokovic said. “Of course I would lie if I say that I didn’t think about the finish line that is right there and that one more match is needed to win a trophy…. a historic one.”

“I leave those kind of discussions of ‘who is the greatest?’ to someone else. I have, of course, huge faith and confidence and belief (in) myself and for everything that I am and who I am and what I am capable of doing,” Djokovic said at his news conference. “So this trophy obviously is another confirmation of the quality of tennis that I’m still able to produce, I feel.”