From CBSsports.com….
Novak Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in an epic five-set match, 6-7 (6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to win the men’s singles title at the 2021 French Open and his 19th Grand Slam title. In a battle between the new and older generations in men’s tennis, the 34-year-old Djokovic and member of the sport’s ‘Big Three’ pushed off a real threat from the 22-year-old Tsitsipas and one of the widely touted ‘Next Gen’ players.
Djokovic continues to cement his case as one of the greatest tennis players of all-time, and with this title, he is now only the third men’s tennis player to win each of the four major tournaments at least twice, joining Rod Laver and Roy Emerson. It’s also an accomplishment that has never been achieved by either of his Big Three rivals, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Djokovic defeated Andy Murray for his first French Open trophy back in 2016.
Furthermore and perhaps more important, Djokovic’s 2021 French Open title puts him within one of the all-time men’s record of Grand Slam titles. Currently, Federer and Nadal share a two-way tie, each owning 20. This means Djokovic has an opportunity to overtake Federer and Nadal this season, with Wimbledon (June 28-July 11) and the US Open (Aug. 30-Sept. 12) still left on the 2021 calendar.
In recent Slams, it’s clear there is a new generation of men’s players knocking at the door — Tsitsipas here at this year’s French Open, Dominic Thiem at 2020 US Open and Daniil Medvedev at 2021 Australian Open — but Djokovic’s victory proves the old guard isn’t ready to be dismissed just yet. Contrary to the women’s game, which has seen several first-time Slam winners in recent years, including Barbora Krejcikova’s title at this year’s French Open, the men’s game is still waiting to see a new name step up to the challenge.
