Novak Djokovic does not hide it. Its objective is to break records to mark the history of tennis. And to extricate themselves from the haunting shadow of the star duo composed for many years by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serb holds the record for most weeks spent in No.1 (last March he beat Federer's 310 weeks). In 2016, the Serbian signed up as the first player to break the $ 100 million mark in tournament winnings. He is, since 2018, the only player to have won each of the nine Masters 1000. But he wants more. Always more.
Novak Djokovic is chasing the record for Grand Slam crowns. He has 18 major coronations (9 at the Australian Open, 1 at Roland Garros, 5 at Wimbledon, 3 at the US Open). In his viewfinder, the twenty major titles of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. He can dream of the calendar Grand Slam (in 2016, he had managed to win consecutively the four majors on horseback over two years). The last to have done it is the Australian Rod Laver in 1969.
Winner of Rafael Nadal, this Friday in the semi-finals, at the end of a match that Roland Garros will remember for a long time, for the scenario, the twists and turns, the health context, the night party, Novak Djokovic is keen on the advantage that 'he retains against the Spaniard (30 wins to 28) and Roger Federer (27 wins to 23). With the particularity of having dominated Rafael Nadal on his clay at Roland Garros (in the quarter-finals in 2015 and in the semi-finals this year, two of the Spaniard's three defeats in 108 matches in Paris) and Roger Federer , in his Wimbledon garden (in the final in 2014, 2015, 2019).
In the shadow of the legendary duo composed of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal wants to shine. Not like the third man but the one of all records. Starting with the most prestigious. The Serb (34) is the youngest of the trio (Federer is 39, Nadal 35). He will remain on stage as long as the match at the top inspires him and gives him the opportunity to shine at the top. “
Roger and Rafa inspire me. As long as they last, I will move forward. It is a competition between us in all areas. This is the reason why we are what we are, we motivate each other, we push each other to the limit,
”he summed up after his title in Melbourne in February. This is the reason why, in his frantic quest,the Roland-Garros final is so interesting.