Another historic Roland-Garros is in the books, so here’s what you might have missed on the final day
Taking qualifying into account, a riveting Roland-Garros 2021 is done and dusted after 21 scintillating days.
We’ve pretty much witnessed it all, but on Sunday, Novak Djokovic continued to push the realms of possibility. Here are some of the storylines you might have missed in Paris…
As soon as the world No.1 had lifted his 19th major, fellow Serbian and close comrade Dusan Lajovic tweeted his congratulations.
A ‘fan’ looked to provoke the world No.39, asking how many Slams he has, but Lajovic fired back a superb retort.
Check it out below and more reactions from around the social media sphere as Djokovic rules Roland-Garros once again.
Heading back to his chair a champion once again, Djokovic made sure he thanked his chief supporter.
The world No.1 gave his racquet to one elated young boy, who had a serious impact on the 34-year-old’s morale.
“I don't know the boy. He was in my ear the entire match basically, especially when I was two-sets-to love down. He was encouraging me. He was actually giving me tactics, as well,” chuckled Djokovic during his press conference.
“He was like, ‘Hold your serve, get an easy first ball, then dictate, go to his backhand’. He was coaching me literally. I found that very cute, very nice. So, I felt like to give the racquet to the best person was him after the match. That was kind of my gratitude for him sticking with me and supporting me.”
Stefanos Tsitsipas has plenty to be proud of from his run to a maiden Grand Slam final.
The 22-year-old, who trains at the Mouratoglou Academy in Nice, France, had their younger pupils on the edge of their seats during the thrilling finale.
Chapeau Stefanos!
Earlier on Sunday, singles champion Barbora Krejcikova and her partner Katerina Siniakova triumphed in the women’s doubles.
Krejcikova is now just the fourth active player to have won Grand Slams in singles, doubles and mixed events alongside Serena Williams, Venus Williams and Sam Stosur.
In terms of her Roland-Garros duel title sweep, the Czech became the first player since France’s Mary Pierce in 2000 to take home the singles and doubles silverware. And they met at Roland-Garros this weekend. What a snap.
The race to finish their careers as leader of the men’s Grand Slam singles title haul took a significant shift in Paris.
Djokovic’s semi-final win over Rafael Nadal enabled the Serb to close the gap to just one major.
All eyes on Wimbledon then…
What a welcome sight to see Bjorn Borg basking in the sunshine on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The tennis icon was part of the trophy presentation to mark the 40th anniversary of winning his sixth and final Roland-Garros title.
The Swede was joined for the party by two-time champion Jim Courier (now a TV commentator) to mark the 30th anniversary of his opening triumph in Paris.
ROLAND-GARROS
20 May - 9 June 2024
