Novak Djokovic Wins French Open, Completes Grand Slam Collection; Muguruza Upsets Serena Williams

Novak Djokovic made history Sunday after he defeated Britain’s Andy Murray 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 in the Roland Garros final.

Novak Djokovic Wins French Open, Completes Grand Slam Collection

The World No. 1 Serb is now the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win four consecutive grand slams. He is also the eighth man to complete the career grand slam, as well as the first man to claim the first two majors in a calendar year since Jim Courier in 1992.

Murray lost after sending a backhand into the net on a third match point, after which Djokovic fell to the court on his back, basking in his victory of the world’s premier clay-court tournament in Paris after losing three times, including last year to Swiss Stan Wawrinka. 

The crowd on Philippe Chatrier court cheered loudly following the win.

“I felt that kind of support and love from the people around that allowed me to be sitting here with the trophy,” Djokovic told reporters. “That kind of support was very well present at the stadium today.”

He drew a heart into the clay with his racket, copying Gustavo Kuerten’s celebration when the Brazilian won the French Open in 2001, and dropped himself in the middle of it. Djokovic, now a 12-time grand-slam champion, received Kuerten’s approval, he stated, while they were filming videos for a tournament partner.

Murray fell to 2-8 in grand slam finals and 2-13 in his past 15 matches against his childhood friend Djokovic.

Meanwhile, Spaniard Garbine Muguruza upset Serena Williams 7-5 6-4 on Saturday to win the first grand slam of her career. Muguruza also stripped the American of tying Steffi Graf’s Open Era record of 22 majors. She is also the first Spanish woman to win the French Open since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario in 1998.

Muguruza’s deadly serve came to her aid more than once in the final, particularly when facing break points in the first set, although she also double faulted nine times. The 22-year-old Venezuelan-born Spaniard secured the title with a stunning lob.

“I’m pretty shocked still,” Muguruza told reporters about 2.5 hours later. “I think I’ve got to take my time and enjoy, because with tennis players it goes so fast. For Spanish people this is the tournament. When you’re a kid and practice on clay, you’re always, ‘Oh, I wish I could win Roland Garros.'”

She made the decision to represent Spain in team competitions just two years ago.

If fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal’s wrist heals in time, he is expected to partner Muguruza in mixed doubles at the Olympics in August.

Williams defeated Muguruza in the Wimbledon final last July but lost to her at the French Open in 2014. The American lost the title for the third straight major.

PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 05: Novak Djokovic of Serbia hits a forehand during the Men’s Singles final match against Andy Murray of Great Britain on day fifteen of the 2016 French Open at Roland Garros on June 5, 2016 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dennis Grombkowski/Getty Images)

Article by Pablo Mena