IF he wasn’t already a tennis legend, Serbian sensation Novak Djokovic has sealed his place in history with victory in the French Open.
He becomes just the third man to hold all four grand slam titles, after claiming last year’s US Open and Wimbledon titles, before claiming this year’s Australian Open, unifying them all with his victory over gun Brit Andy Murray.
He’s won the other three grand slams multiple times, with six Australian Open championships, three at Wimbledon – where he is the $1.80 favourite with CrownBet.com.au in 2016 – and two US Opens.
But the French one on clay had always eluded him – until the weekend.
The 29-year-old dropped the first set and it looked like his dream of winning all four grand slams might have to wait another year, but he fought back to make it 12 major titles with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 victory.
After dropping the first set, the tennis he produced was just about as good as it gets, making one of the best tennis players of this generation look second rate.
With three time French Open winner Gustavo Kuerten watching on, Djokovic looked vulnerable and then indestructible, drawing a heart in the clay, just like the Brazilian used to do.
“It’s a very special moment, the biggest of my career,” said Djokovic.
“I felt today something that I never felt before at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd.
“I drew the heart on the court, like Guga, which he gave me permission to do.
“My heart will always be with you on this court.”
Murray, who lost his fifth grand slam decider to the Djoker, could only sit back and admire the champ.
“To Novak, this is his day,” said Murray.
“What he’s achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal; winning all the grand slams in one year is an amazing achievement.
“It’s so rare in tennis, and for me personally, it sucks to lose the match, but I’m proud to have been part of today.”
Aussie great Rod Laver was the last man to hold all four major titles at the same time – that was 47 years ago. The Djoker is in esteemed company.
And his quest to win all four majors in a calendar year is half done, with Wimbledon up next in July.
As mentioned, he is the odds on favourite, with Murray on the second line at $4.50.
Big serving Canadian Milos Raonic is next on the list at $13, with injured superstar Roger Federer at the same quote.
Only Stanislas Wawrinka is under $20, rated a $17 chance.
Aussie firebrand Nick Kyrgios is the best chance from Down Under at $21, with Bernard Tomic at $101, Thanasi Kokkinakis at $251 and Sam Grothe given almost no hope at $401.
In the women’s French Open, superstar Serena was slain by Spaniard Garbine Mugurza, who knocked the 21 time grans slam winner over in straight sets, 7-6, 6-4.
Williams was the red hot favourite, but she was outclassed on the clay and missed an opportunity to equal Steffi Graf for most grand slam titles in the open era.
At just 22, Muguruza has turned in some strong results over the past 12 months, but this is her first title.
If she continues to play in this fashion, it won’t be her last.
She dropped the first set of the tournament and then won 14 straight – including a pair over Aussie Sam Stosur in the semi – to claim the title.
“I had some moments in my career where I was like ‘Woah, great result’, then not that great a result,” Muguruza said.
“What I am trying to get is more consistency.
“Little by little I want to grow – grow my confidence, grow my knowledge, grow my inside power.
“I know the other players are going to be looking to beat me now.
“But it’s normal.
“I like my position and I will not change it.
“I prefer to be hunted than to be the other way around.”
If you think Serena, 12 years her senior, with 67 more titles to her name, is going to fade into the background, think again.
She is the $2.50 favourite to claim her seventh Wimbledon Title.
It’s usually Williams, then daylight, but Petra Kvitova ($6.50), Muguruza ($8) and Victoria Azarenka ($9) are all set to mount a serious challenge.
You can’t write her off though. This tournament is her bread and butter and it is hard to see her losing, although Muguruza – whose hard hitting all court game is set to suit the grass court – is a massive danger, considering her French Open triumph.
2016 Wimbledon odds
Men:
Novak Djokovic ($1.80)
Andy Murray ($4.50)
Milos Raonic ($13)
Roger Federer ($13)
Stan Wawrinka ($17)
Nick Kyrgios ($21)
Rafael Nadal ($23)
Kei Nishikori ($26)
Grigor Dimitrov ($41)
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga ($41)
Marin Cilic ($41)
Tomas Berdych ($67)
Juan Martin del Potro ($67)
Bernard Tomic ($101)
John Isner ($101)
Kevin Anderson ($101)
Alexandr Dolgopolov ($151)
Alexander Zverev ($201)
David Ferrer ($201)
Feliciano Lopez ($201)
Ivo Karlovic ($201)
Richard Gasquet ($201)
Viktor Troicki ($201)
Fernando Verdasco ($251)
Gael Monfils ($251)
Gilles Muller ($251)
Gilles Simon ($251)
Jack Sock ($251)
Jerzy Janowicz ($251)
Sam Querrey ($251)
Thanasi Kokkinakis ($251)
Marcos Baghdatis ($401)
Roberto Bautista-Agut ($401)
Samuel Groth ($401)
Odds provided by CrownBet.com.au
Women:
Serena Williams ($2.50)
Petra Kvitova ($6.50)
Garbine Muguruza ($8)
Victoria Azarenka ($9)
Angelique Kerber ($19)
Simona Halep ($21)
Agnieszka Radwanska ($26)
Belinda Bencic ($26)
Madison Keys ($34)
Eugenie Bouchard ($34)
Sabine Lisicki ($34)
Caroline Wozniacki ($41)
Karolina Pliskova ($41)
Lucie Safarova ($41)
Timea Bacsinzky ($51)
Ana Ivanovic ($51)
Sloane Stephens ($51)
Venus Williams ($51)
Johanna Konta ($51)
Coco Vandeweghe ($67)
Ekaterina Makarova ($81)
Elina Svitolina ($101)
Jelena Jankovic ($101)
Caroline Garcia ($126)
Sam Stosur ($151)
Dominika Cibulkova ($151)
Andrea Petkovic ($151)
Heather Watson ($151)
Alize Cornet ($201)
Odds provided by WilliamHill.com.au
