It was like a scene from a movie. Novak Djokovic lifted the French Open trophy, his eyes closed as he basked in the sunlight – sunlight that had not appeared in Paris in over a week, but decided to show up after the last ball was hit in the final.
It’s almost like the clouds would not part until Djokovic finally won that elusive Roland Garros title, to become the eighth man in history to complete the career Grand Slam, and the first man since Rod Laver in 1969, to win four majors in a row.
A year ago, the French crowd gave Djokovic the most heartwarming standing ovation after he lost the final to Stan Wawrinka.
That very same crowd roared, chanted and cheered throughout Djokovic’s 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory over Andy Murray in Sunday’s final, forming a bond with the Serb he spent years trying to develop with the public.
Having come ever so close to the French Open trophy in the past, but falling short in three finals and four semi-finals, Djokovic finally knew what it felt like to win the Coupe des Mousquetaires.
“I felt like this year when I arrived that it’s really different from any other year. The relationship and connection I had with fans and with people around… it was just different, you know,” said Djokovic.
It doesn't get much better than that. Game, set, match, @DjokerNole. WATCH: https://t.co/gakiDv0jYH #RG16 https://t.co/GqMYRUVxKX
— Roland Garros (@rolandgarros) June 5, 2016
“I felt that kind of support and love from the people around that allowed me to be sitting here with the trophy.
“In the last point I don’t even remember what happened. It’s like my spirit has left my body and I was just observing my body fight the last three, four exchanges, going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake, which has happened.
“A thrilling moment, one of the most beautiful I have had in my career.”
Djokovic, who has played in front of some of the most hostile grand slam crowds around the world, was finally appreciated. He was making history and the people wanted to be a part of it.
Roger Federer may own the record of most slams won (17), Rafael Nadal may be the most successful man at Roland Garros with nine trophies, but Djokovic now has done something neither have managed to achieve.
He put his name next to the great Rod Laver and is now the holder of all four major titles.
No one could have said it better than the man Djokovic conquered to hit this milestone. The man who was born just seven days before Djokovic and has spent most of his life competing against him.
“To Novak, this is his day today. What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal, winning all four of the grand slams in one year is an amazing achievement,” Murray told the Philippe Chatrier crowd after his defeat.
“This is something that is so rare in tennis, it’s not happened for an extremely long time and it’s going to take a long time for it to happen again.
“So everyone here who came to watch is obviously extremely lucky to see it, me personally being on the opposite side, it sucks to lose the match, but I’m proud to be part of today. So congratulations Novak, well done.”
Djokovic broke Murray in the first game of the match but the Scot responded by taking the next three to build up a 3-1 lead. Just like he did against Wawrinka in the semi-finals, Murray was dictating play and in great shape, taking advantage of 13 unforced errors from Djokovic in the opening set, most of them off the forehand wing.
But after Djokovic saved a break point in the first game of the second set, things started to swing the Serb’s way, and he instantly switched gears.
The volume of the pro-Djokovic chants rose as he leveled the match. It helped that his nickname ‘Nole’ rhymed with ‘Ole’.
Meanwhile Murray descended into his usual habit of yelling in anger mixed with frustration.
“Shut the f*** up,” he screamed at one point, speaking to no one in particular.
When Djokovic went up a double-break for 5-2 in the fourth set, the world No. 1 had the most bizarre reaction – he looked up to the cheering crowd and started laughing. He doesn’t really know why.
Murray broke and shortened the gap to 4-5. Serving for the championship for a second time, Djokovic got nervous and let two match points slip away. But on the third, Murray netted a backhand and it was all over.
“We’re all humans, and arriving so close like never before in my life to this trophy and winning it, you know, I felt it. I felt the tension and excitement, all the emotions. You name it,” confessed Djokovic, who is the first man in 24 years to win the first two slams of the season.
The 29-year-old took his racquet and carved a heart in the clay on court before lying on his back in the centre of it.
Looking on from the stands was Gustavo Kuerten, the man who celebrated his third Roland Garros victory in that exact same manner 15 years ago on centre court.
On his 12th visit to Paris trying to win Roland Garros, Djokovic claimed not just the trophy, but the love of the crowd.
