Roland-Garros: A look back at the six finals of Djokovic Porte d'Auteuil

His two coronations

2016: Deliverance

Won 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4

To discover

• Roland Garros Men's Singles
• Roland Garros Women's Singles

After three failures in the final, the Serb finally offered himself the major title that was missing from his immense record. And like Roger Federer in Paris in 2009, this one was the right one against a Briton, for the first time in the final in Paris. The pressure was heavier on Djokovic's shoulders than on those of Andy Murray, clearly underdog on the surface he likes the least. This was clearly felt at the beginning of the match. Unable to serve properly and hold the forehand exchange, the Serb took 25 minutes to win his first set in a final, before rolling out his tennis and winning on his third match ball and after three hours of play in a final that was not at the expected level. Djokovic could collapse on the court, in a heart drawn "à la Guga" (Kuerten) finally embracing his dream.

Deliverance for Djokovic Virginie Bouyer / Tennis Mag / Panoramic

2021: the life-saving toilet break

Won 6-7, 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4

After an anthology match against his best enemy, master of the place Raphael Nadal, Novak Djokovic cleared the way to a 19th Grand Slam title Very inspired on the Parisian clay that spring, and not overwhelmed by the stakes, the Greek Stafanos Tsitsipas managed a start of the match full of panache, not holding back his shots, and won the first two sets. Novak Djokovic then allowed himself a cool break off the court. The turning point of the match. Upon his return, the Serb was no longer the same player and only took a bite out of Tsitsipas. The toilet break made people talk. Above all, the "Djoker" made his experience speak.

Read alsoNovak Djokovic had the right to make "pee breaks" that changed the course of his matches?

Defeats

2012: Nadal too strong in four hours and two days

Nadal won 6-4, 6-3, 2-6, 7-5

Already a final for history between the two living legends. Nadal was aiming for a 7th title in Paris, synonymous with a record. Djokovic could become the first since Rod Laver in 1969 to hold all four Grand Slam titles simultaneously. But Rafa remained the boss in his kingdom and overtook Borg in a final played in two days because of rain and four hours of play. The Mallorcan demonstrating a little more that he was an extraordinary champion. After beating the same opponent seven times in a row between 2011 and 2012, the Serb missed a resounding feat, but long unattainable in Paris against the Mallorcan.

Novak Djokovic Virginie Bouyer / Tennis Mag / Panoramic

2014: Nadal still too strong

Nadal won 3-6, 7-5, 6-2, 6-4

This second Parisian final did not reach the heights of their semi-final of the previous year. And once again, the boss in Paris is Nadal. For once, Djokovic took the first set. The Belgrade native has never lost a final by winning the opening round. Never, except against the Spaniard, at home on the Philippe-Chatrier. Nadal once again shatters Djokovic's dream of winning in the Mallorcan kingdom. The insatiable signs a 9th title at Roland-Garros.

2015: The Wawrinka tornado

(Wawrinka won 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4)

Stan Wawrinka invites himself to the table of the greats by winning his 2nd Grand Slam, all with a success rate of 100% in Grand Slam finals, after winning the Australian Open 2014. Overwhelmed by the power of the Swiss, the Serb had to lay down his arms. This made Wawrinka say this year in an interview with Le Figaro: "I managed to play my best tennis against an arch-favorite Novak (Djokovic) who remained on 33 matches without defeat and who was No. 1 in the world. But from the beginning of the match, I felt strong, even though I lost the first set The level of play was very high. It's in the top 3 games of my career, that's for sure. I was able to impose rhythm in forehand and backhand to put him under pressure all the time and he was not serene. Beating Djokovic in a Grand Slam final is always strong, because he hasn't lost much. In Paris, he still had to wait for his fourth attempt to finally get his Grail.

See alsoStan Wawrinka: "Roland-Garros will always remain at the top"

2020: Nadal again and again as executioner

(Nadal won 6-0, 6-2, 7-5)

In an edition exceptionally moved to the autumn due to the covid-19 virus, the ogre of ochre had landed in Paris with a hint of uncertainty and seemed to have a smaller margin than before. We thought that playing under the roof, deployed due to rainy conditions, on Sunday, would be an asset for Djokovic, the king of indoor ... But the incredible Nadal was able to adapt to the particular conditions and thwarted the Serbian machine. The 56th confrontation of the blockbuster did not really live up to its promises. The fault to the Spaniard who stifled an unrecognizable Djokovic (52 direct faults for the Serb, 14 for his rival). Exceptional in defense, not at all disturbed by the many cushions of the Serb, the Mallorcan will completely disrupt the world number one who even cashed a bubble in the first set. A first for him in 33 Grand Slam finals.

Another final lost to Nadal Corinne Dubreuil / FFT / Panoramic