Novak Djokovic on cusp of historic twenty third grand slam as he faces Casper Ruud in French Open males’s ultimate | CNN

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For years, the ‘Huge Three’ of males’s tennis – Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic – have hoovered up grand slams, every offering their very own causes to be topped as the best males’s participant of all time.

Now, with Federer retired and Nadal injured, Djokovic has a possibility to stake his personal declare in that endless debate and win a report twenty third grand slam title on Sunday on the French Open, surpassing the mark he presently holds with Nadal.

Standing in Djokovic’s method is Casper Ruud, who has now reached three of the final 5 grand slam finals, together with final yr’s ultimate at Roland Garros the place he was dismantled 6-3 6-3 6-0 by Nadal.

If Djokovic can win on Sunday, he will even return to the highest of the world rankings and grow to be the primary male participant to win every grand slam event no less than thrice. Such stress, nevertheless, is acquainted to the Serb, he stated after his semifinal victory.

“Historical past is at all times one thing that’s hovering over me, however I’m very blissful to be on this place to jot down historical past of this sport,” he stated, in accordance with the ATP Tour. “I’m simply eager about successful the following match.

“Strain is at all times on my shoulders, so it’s not going to be completely different. Nevertheless it’s a part of my sport, a part of my life, all that I do. I believe that having stress is a privilege. Nevertheless it’s a supply of motivation, as nicely. Nice motivation to play nicely and to succeed in Sunday.”

It has been a comparatively simple path to the ultimate for Djokovic, as he has dropped simply two units – one in opposition to Karen Khachanov within the quarterfinals and one in opposition to the No. 1 seed Carlos Alcaraz within the semifinals.

That match in opposition to Alcaraz had been billed as a traditional, however in the long run, Djokovic coasted to victory after the younger Spaniard suffered from cramp at first of the third set, with the match finely poised at a set apiece.

The Serb has been imperious in grand slams over the past three years, a loss to Nadal on the French Open final yr the one blemish on the majors wherein he has been in a position to compete.

However lining up in opposition to such a dominant participant is a well-recognized place for Ruud as he faces an opponent searching for to interrupt or prolong their report grand slam title complete for the second consecutive yr.

“Final yr it was in opposition to Rafa, this yr it’s in opposition to Novak, so what are you able to say? It’s two of the hardest gamers in historical past,” Ruud stated after his semifinal victory, in accordance with the Guardian. “I’ve acquired to be the underdog like in the present day, taking part in with out too many emotions, simply attempt to take pleasure in.”

The 24-year-old Norwegian has by no means even gained a set in opposition to Djokovic, shedding all 4 of their matches, and that gulf ensures that he’ll stroll onto court docket because the underdog, although he can now draw on the expertise of two earlier grand slam ultimate appearances.

“It’s going to be robust, for certain,” Ruud stated, in accordance with the ATP Tour. “He’s taking part in for his twenty third. I’m taking part in for my first. So I’m going to only attempt to play with out stress and simply attempt to benefit from the second.

“I believe that was my mentality final yr (in opposition to Nadal) as nicely, and it didn’t go my method. Clearly, I want to attempt to do higher than final yr. Let’s see if I’ve realized one thing from the 2 earlier (main finals) that I performed final yr. It simply feels nice to be again.”

Regardless of coming into the event after a combined begin to the season, Ruud has discovered his type, successful in opposition to a top-10 participant at a grand slam for the primary time when he defeated Holger Rune within the quarterfinals, and dismantling Alexander Zverev within the semifinals.

That semifinal efficiency will impress Ruud forward of the ultimate, as he seeks to upset the chances and take a primary grand slam title.