7 oldest French Open men’s champions: Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal dominate list
Between them, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic have won the last eight French Open titles between them during a remarkably dominant stretch.
It is unsurprising, therefore, that the legendary duo dominate the list for the oldest men’s singles champions at Roland Garros.
Djokovic, who broke Nadal’s record with his triumph at last year’s French Open, can better his own record if he wins the 2024 edition of the Paris Grand Slam.
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Here, we look at the seven oldest men’s singles champions at Roland Garros in the Open Era.
7) Rafael Nadal – 33 years, 6 days (2019)
Nadal celebrated his 33rd birthday six days before the 2019 French Open final, in which he defeated Dominic Thiem for the second straight year.
The Spaniard prevailed 6–3, 5–7, 6–1, 6–1 against the Austrian to claim his 12th Roland Garros crown and 18th Grand Slam. He defeated his great rival Roger Federer in the semi-finals in the pair’s 39th and penultimate match.
6) Ken Rosewall – 33 years, 220 days (1968)
Ken Rosewall defeated fellow Australian great Rod Laver 6–3, 6–1, 2–6, 6–2 in the final of the 1968 French Open to claim his second Roland Garros title and fifth singles Major. The tournament was the first Grand Slam of the Open Era, in which professionals and amateurs could compete together for the first time.
Rosewall won his eighth and final Grand Slam singles title at the 1972 Australian Open at the age of 37 years, 2 months and 1 day — making him the oldest Major singles champion in the Open Era.
5) Novak Djokovic – 34 years, 22 days (2021)
In the 2021 French Open final, Djokovic overcame Stefanos Tsitsipas 6–7(6), 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4 to secure his second title at the event and 19th Grand Slam.
The Serbian saw off Nadal in an epic four-set semi-final, while he also came from two sets to love down against Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round. This makes Djokovic the only player to come back from two sets down in two matches en route to winning a Major in the Open Era.
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4) Rafael Nadal – 34 years, 130 days (2020)
Nadal dismantled Djokovic 6–0, 6–2, 7–5 in the 2020 Roland Garros final to win the tournament for the 13th time and claim his 20th Grand Slam title.
The King of Clay won the French Open without dropping a set for the fourth time, following 2008, 2010 and 2017. The tournament was held in September and October, having been cancelled in the summer due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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3) Andres Gimeno – 34 years, 306 days (1972)
Andres Gimeno defeated Patrick Proisy 4–6, 6–3, 6–1, 6–1 in the final of the French Open in 1972 to win his first and only Grand Slam title.
At the age of 34 years and 305 days, the Spaniard remains the oldest first-time Major singles champion in tennis Open Era.
2) Rafael Nadal – 36 years, 2 days (2022)
In the 2022 French Open championship match, Nadal crushed Casper Ruud 6–3, 6–3, 6–0 to win a record-extending 14th Roland Garros crown and 22nd Grand Slam title.
As well as Ruud, Nadal defeated Felix Auger-Aliassime, Djokovic and Alexander Zverev, making him just the third man to beat four top 10 opponents en route to winning a Major since the ATP Rankings were introduced in 1973.
1) Novak Djokovic – 36 years, 20 days (2023)
At 36 years and 20 days, Djokovic became the oldest champion in French Open history with his 7–6(1), 6–3, 7–5 final triumph over Ruud.
Djokovic’s third Roland Garros title took him to a men’s record total of 23 Majors and also made him the first man to win each Grand Slam three or more times.
