'They defined me': Djokovic credits record success to rivalry with Nadal and Federer

Novak Djokovic cemented his status as the greatest player of all time with a record-breaking 23rd Grand Slam victory at the French Open.

Djokovic came through in straight sets in the final, sealing a 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 victory against the fourth seed, Casper Ruud, of Norway.

The World No 1 then partly credited his success to his long-time rivals, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, saying "The truth is I've always compared myself to these guys ... they have actually defined me as a player, and all the success that I have, they've contributed to it in a way, because of the rivalries and the matchups that we had, and countless hours of thinking and analysing what it takes to win against them."

The Guardian on YouTube:

#Djokovic #FrenchOpen #GrandSlam #Federer #Nadal

[biljanakocanovic]

WE LOVE YOU NOVAK!!!❤Thank you Casper, all best in the future, thank you Roland Garros...thank you Guardian Sport!!!

[donaldmoss]

Nole the Goat! No matter what "Some" may say! Thw whole package! Can no be denied!

[sanctuary]

He learned how to play on clay from the best: RAFA, King of Clay. But no one is in better shape physically than NOLE. He is 36yrs young. He knows the intimate relationship between the body and the mind. He eats a plant-based, non-dairy diet, maintains a healthy lifestyle. Couple that with a mind that has been honed in adversity on & off the Court. And the respect he has garnered as a young man who has principles by which he abides as he demonstrated on his no-vax stand. He has shut the mouths of the naysayers, and has many mores miles to go. Truly NOLE has grown before my eyes and has earned my respect. 👍🥇💞🎾

[issaryokan]

Guardian your "philosopher's" article about Nole today was a disgrace. But we don't mind, you have no power over here

[milicaristic]

ben brembl kritikuje da nole nije najveci jedino ako misli po visini ali nole n je najveci i najbolji kao tenisr a ben neka izvini se noletu jer je englezima kriva uvek bila srbija

[lioneye]

Nole is now the closest thing we have to Rafa on clay

[scott]

Is Ben Bramble really to be taken seriously Gusrdian ?😅. Someone who deserately attempts to deny tennis reality in pursuit of your radical political agenda.

[Z..]

Noleta kao ratnika, heroja, junaka su definisali geni junačkoga roda, neimaština, djetinjstvo pod NATO bombama (78 dana bombardovanja), inat pa sve ostalo pomalo.