French Open Final Highlights: Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud to win third Roland Garros title, 23rd major

French Open Live

Casper Ruud: “Another day, another record for you. It is tough to explain what you do. You’re an inspiration. Congrats to you, your family, team and everyone involved”

“Amelie (Mauresmo) you’re pulling off a great tournament. Luckily the weather was clear and had great two weeks. Look forward to coming here next year”

“Thanks to everyone, the chair umpire, the ball kids, the volunteers. Thanks for putting all the effort in making this special for us”

“To my team, my father, mother, my girlfriend. Thanks to everyone for pushing me. Not just now today but throughout my life. We will work towards coming here and being in the final of Roland Garros once more”

“The crowd was incredible. Incredible support. This court is incredible to play on. It’s always full and a joy to play in front of the French crowd. Gives me motivation to come here once again”

French Open Live: Novak Djokovic wins 23rd Grand Slam

Rafael Nadal congratulates Novak Djokovic and says: “Many congrats on this amazing achievement. 23 is a number that just a few years back was imposible to think about, and you made it!”

Novak Djokovic wins his third French Open, 23rd Grand Slam title

Novak Djokovic beats Casper Ruud 7-6, 6-3, 7-5 to win his third Roland Garros title and 23rd major overall. He goes past Rafael Nadal to become the man with most Grand Slam titles. In the overall list, he matches Serena Williams and is now one behind Margaret Court. Novak will also return to World No 1 tomorrow.

Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 7-5 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic serving for the match and the title. Starts by collecting two cheap points and goes 30-0 up. Another big serve and the short ball is rocked away for a forehand winner. Three match points. One saved. It was a short ball, everyone waited for him to spank it for a forehand winner. But it is sent wide. Two more chances. This one is converted! Ruud sends the forehand long and Djokovic goes down in a heap to win the Roland Garros title

Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 6-5 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic pings the extreme edge of the baseline with a backhand winner and it is 0-15. Ruud tries to do much of the same but he misses. 0-30 and the finish line is in sight. Definitely is now as Djokovic rocks a massive forehand winner to bring up three break points. BREAK! Tense exchange at the back between the two and the short ball is converted into a backhand winner and Djokovic will now come back to serve for the title!

Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 5-5 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic with a thumping forehand cross court winner to hold at love. Ruud shakes his head in disbelief and you can’t fault him for it. Novak has been ruthless since the first set

Djokovic 7-6, 6-3, 4-4 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

The crowd getting involved now as Djokovic serves at 3-4 in the third set. The crowd prevents Djokovic from serving as they go up in numbers and make plenty of numbers. Ruud, seemingly pumped by this gesture, races to a 0-30 lead. Djokovic then gets the luck of the net as the ball trickles over. When it’s not your day…. And Novak follows it up with a 198kmph ace down the T. The window appears and the window shuts. Djokovic with a smart angled drive volley to force Ruud into going for plenty and the forehand is well wide. Oof. Time violation warning for Novak Djokovic as he bounces the ball repeatedly before serving. The crowd interrupts and adds to the drama. After taking plenty of time, Djokovic bullets a 178kmph serve down the T which is unreturnable. “Don’t poke the bear,” says the commentator. Rightly.

Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 3-2 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud reaches 40-15 and has a chance for a comfortable hold. But it is quickly thwarted by Djokovic who forces a backhand mistake and then Novak romps a winner of his own to bring it to deuce. Ruud follows it up with a deep serve and a forehand winner down the line. A 189kmph ace, his third of the match, gets the hold.

French Open Live

Celebrity watch spots actor Jake Gyllenhaal and former boxer Mike Tyson in attendance on Court Philippe Chatrier

Djokovic* 7-6, 6-3, 1-2 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic with a thumping and dominant forehand winner deep into the court and he has a break point at 30-40. Goes for broke with the backhand but finds the net instead. It was a great opportunity to get the break early in the third set. At deuce, Ruud keeps the backhand marginally short and it steals away a moment from Djokovic to get to it. The Serb hits the top of the tape on the backhand and Ruud gets out of the cage

French Open Live

Players born in the 80s dominating players born in the 90s in Grand Slam finals. The record about the get even more one-sided

Novak Djokovic wins the second set 6-3

Novak Djokovic wins the second set 6-3 and is now two sets to love up over Casper Ruud. He’s now one set away from winning his 23rd Grand Slam. Casper Ruud did little wrong in the first and still lost. Now, he looks incredibly patchy and Djokovic is making the most of it.

Djokovic 7-6, 6-3 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Novak Djokovic is serving for the second set. Starts off by seeing Casper Ruud’s backhand go well long after some neat exchange from the back. Ruud with a lazy backhand slice into the net and it brings up three set points for Djokovic. He gets it done on the first chance. Serve out wide and on the short ball, Djokovic moves up for a backhand winner down the line

Djokovic* 7-6, 5-3 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud serving to stay in the second set. With plenty of time to think and pick his spot, Ruud overcooks his forehand at 15-15 and gives a freebie to Djokovic. At 15-30, Djokovic with a deep return and Ruud is unable to pick it up. Two set points. One saved as Djokovic sends the return wide. On the second, gutsy tennis from Ruud to play an angled forehand winner. On deuce, Ruud with an angled serve, forehand on the other end of the court and then a smash. Ruud holds with Djokovic’s backhand sailing long

Djokovic 7-6, 5-2 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud fighting, not throwing in the towel just yet. Big forehand with plenty of spin and it allows him to come up to the net. Djokovic gets to one volley and then gets the smash up but Ruud is on hand to skill the point off at the net. Ruud with an errant backhand and it brings th e game to 30-30. The crowd trying to get Ruud pumped and keep the fight going. But Ruud sends a slice backhand into the net. Almost like he wasn’t convinced in the shot himself. Follows it up with a thundering smash into the net. Hold for Novak from 15-30 down

Djokovic* 7-6, 4-2 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Ruud staying with Djokovic as much as he can but not in control of the tennis anymore. Djokovic with a thumping forehand first but follows it up with an overcooked forehand that bounces into the tramlines. Ruud holds and keeps it to one break

Djokovic 7-6, 4-1 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic with his 12th forehand winner of the second set to bring up game point. He’s been ruthless on that wing this set. At 40-15, Novak Djokovic serves his first double fault of the match. Does hold as Casper Ruud’s return is well long

Djokovic 7-6, 3-0 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Novak Djokovic with a comfortable hold to consolidate the break. He drops a single point and is now 3-0 to the good quickly in the second set

Djokovic* 7-6, 2-0 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic clenches his fist with two break points in the offing. Ruud saves one with a forehand winner. And then another is saved after Djokovic’s cross court forehand is marginally wide. On deuce, Djokovic goes big on the return, Ruud gets it back but it sits up nicely for Djokovic to volley it for a winner. Another opportunity goes missing as Djokovic sends backhand long. He mutters something to his box in frustration. Yet another incredible rally with Ruud hitting some sensational defensive shots and yet it comes back with plenty on it. Eventually, Djokovic with a forehand winner as Ruud takes a little step to one side. On break point, Ruud’s smash is not strong enough and Djokovic’s backhand goes deep to force an error from an outstretched forehand of Ruud. BREAK!

French Open Live

Juan Martin del Potro summing up what’s it like facing the Big 3 players. “Nole didn’t play a great set and still won. Ruud player a great set, except the tiebreak, and still lost.”

Novak Djokovic wins opening set 7-6

Novak Djokovic takes the opening set 7-6 in 81 minutes over Casper Ruud. The Norwegian was 4-1 up at one stage before seeing Djokovic win three games in a row despite looking physically drained. It keeps Djokovic’s incredible record in tiebreaks going at the French Open this year. He’s played six and won all of them.

French Open Live

First set tiebreak underway.

Ruud serves at 0-0: Djokovic with a forehand winner down the line. The Serb is pumped after that incredible shot

Djokovic serves at 1-0: An exchange at the net between the two players and Ruud sends the volley straight at Djokovic who steers it into the open court.

Djokovic serves at 2-0: Ruud once again has a chance to get on the board but sends his shot well wide into the tramlines

Ruud serves at 0-3: Ruud finally gets on the board in the first set tiebreak. Ruud with a winner to make it 3-1

Ruud serves at 1-3: Once again Ruud has the chance to catch Djokovic out but he sends his half-volley straight at Novak. The Serb is solid at the net to put it away

Djokovic serves at 4-1: Ruud with an error and Djokovic is in complete control now

Djokovic serves at 5-1: Once again a quick point for Djokovic and he is running away with this

Ruud serves at 1-6: Some ruthless ball striking from Djokovic and he sends an inside out forehand winner well past Ruud to take the opening set 7-6 (1) in an hour and 22 minutes

Djokovic 6-6 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic with an ace and then one-two of serve and forehand winner to bring up two game points. He follows it up with a deft volley to hold and force a tiebreak

French Open Live

Casper Ruud and Novak Djokovic are putting on an absolute cracker of a show!

Djokovic 5-5 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic and Ruud with a breathtaking point that sees both of them cover plenty of court. Ruud gets up for a drop shot, then runs across for a tweener lob, before once again up the court for an angled shot that catches Djokovic off. The Serb sends the volley into the net to make it 0-30. But Ruud is unable to make it count. The Norwegian sends the forehand long and Djokovic clenches his fist in joy

Djokovic* 4-5 Ruud (* denotes next server)

At 30-40, Djokovic has the chance to win a fourth straight game. A chance to take the break advantage and serve for the set. But he sends the forehand wide. Ruud making a couple of mistakes in this game to hand the advantage just a touch. At deuce, Ruud sends Djokovic into the corner, the Serb gets the ball back but takes a tumble as Ruud closes the point out with a volley. On game point, Ruud comes off with a tough volley and then smash to hold. Big, big hold that for Ruud.

Djokovic 4-4 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic saves a break point at 30-40 with another marathon point. A 25-shot rally this time with Ruud throwing in some well-timed and well-struck backhand slices. On the second of such shots, Djokovic makes the approach to move up to the net and the defensive ball from Ruud is thumped for a smash. Ruud gets that back too but Djokovic with a well-placed and taken drop volley. Djokovic holds with a forehand winner into the corner. 50 minutes played and Djokovic looks spent!

Djokovic* 3-4 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Djokovic gets the BREAK BACK! An error prone game from Ruud sees Djokovic bring the first set back on serve. Ruud sending a routine forehand wide and then not capitalising on a Djokovic missed smash. On break point, both players with lung-bursting tennis. Ruud dictated play for the most part in a lengthy 28-shot rally. If he had gone to another side on two drive volley opportunities, he may have taken it to deuce. Instead, Djokovic kept the point going with lob after lob before Ruud makes a mistake and Djokovic brings the set back on serve.

French Open Live

Footballers Kylian Mbappe, Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Olivier Giroud are also in attendance for the French Open final. On the court, Ruud whips a forehand winner to take a 4-1 lead in the first set

French Open Live

Hugh Grant in attendance for the French Open final between Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud

Djokovic* 0-3 Ruud (* denotes next server)

Casper Ruud with two uncharacteristic errors and Djokovic has a slight window at 15-30. Closed shut first by Djokovic backhand into the net and then another Novak error. Ruud follows it up with a double fault to bring the game to deuce. Ruud pings the sideline with a forehand winner into the corner and then sees Djokovic send his backhand into the net. Ruud is off to a cracking start

French Open Live

Retired American football quarterback Tom Brady is in the Novak Djokovic box. There was Mike Tyson in attendance during Djokovic vs Alcaraz. Don’t see him appreciating the French Open final today

Djokovic 0-2 *Ruud (* denotes next server)

Novak Djokovic errs with the forehand and Casper Ruud has a break point in the very first game. Ruud applying plenty of spin on his forehand and getting a lot of revolutions. Djokovic saves this one after Ruud’s defensive forehand goes long. On deuce, Djokovic with another error. This time the Serb sends his forehand wide. On break point, Djokovic serves wide and with the court gaping, whips a forehand winner down the line. Ace brings up game point for Djokovic. Casper Ruud keeps the game going past 7 minutes. Ruud doing well to keep the ball deep and bouncing high to keep Djokovic behind and denying the Serb an opportunity to get into attack. Djokovic once again brings up game point with an angled serve and winner down the line approach. On game point, Djokovic looks to fire a winner a winner down the line but the angle is far too much and the ball hits the net. 9 minutes in and Djokovic has another opportunity to hold. FOREHAND WINNER! Slow serve from Djokovic and Ruud thumps it back with plenty of venom. Djokovic with another forehand miss and it brings up a break point for Ruud. This time he converts it. BREAK! After 11 minutes and 10 seconds, Ruud breaks Djokovic as the Serb sends his smash long.

French Open Live

Casper Ruud chooses to serve first after winning the toss. The Norwegian gets underway with a love hold. 1-0

Casper Ruud’s run to the French Open final

Ruud has played one more four setter than Djokovic. The quarter-final against Holger Rune was going one way traffic before the Dane hit back but Ruud had enough firepower to finish it off. Surprisingly, the semi-final – against Alexander Zverev – was straightforward with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win.

Novak Djokovic’s run to the French Open final

Novak dropped a set against Karen Khachanov and then in the semi-final against Carlos Alcaraz. The semi-final against Alcaraz was set brilliantly after the second set but for the cramps and injury issues for the World No 1.

French Open Live: Djokovic targets 23rd Grand Slam

Here’s what players past and present have to say as Djokovic goes for a record 23rd major title.

Sergi Brugera: “The one who finishes with the most Grand Slams, I would pick them as the best of all time,” said 1993 and 1994 champion Sergi Bruguera. “There’s a lot of different things considered, but for me Grand Slams are the most important.

Grigor Dimitrov: “I’m saying it with the utmost respect," he told rolandgarros.com. “It doesn’t really matter anymore. This is staggering what he has been able to do over the years; not only him, but Roger and Rafa too, they’re in a league of their own.” 

Dan Evans: “He’s a freak,” the Aussie said after defeating Dan Evans in the first round. “Djokovics, Nadals, these guys don’t come around very often so you have to embrace them while they are still here. They’ve taken the game to the next level. I know a lot of guys look up to Novak, they see his preparation and how he ticks every box and gets the most out of himself.

John McEnroe: “At the moment for me, Nadal is the greatest player that has ever lived on clay. Novak would be the same on hard courts. Roger on grass, even though Djokovic has beaten Roger a few times at Wimbledon. Certainly he’s right there, and I think it’s amazing because he was trying to get into that mix for so long. To be playing so well at his age is hard to believe, actually.”

Djokovic vs Ruud head-to-head

Djokovic 4-0 Ruud: Djokovic has won all four of their meetings. Two have come at indoor hardcourts and two at outdoor clay events. Novak has won all four in straight sets with the latest coming at the ATP Finals last year in Turin. The last meeting on clay, however, was in Rome last year.

What is Casper Ruud targeting?

In his third major final, Casper Ruud of Norway is bidding for his first Grand Slam title. He came up short against Rafael Nadal last year at the French Open and against Carlos Alcaraz at the US Open. Third time lucky for Ruud?

The 24-year-old will remain fourth in the world even if he wins the title.