Novak Djokovic inches away from history – ‘I’m so close’

Novak Djokovic acknowledges that his “big win” over Carlos Alcaraz came under “strange circumstances”, but he is delighted that he is now without touching distances of winning another Grand Slam.

The French Open semi-final match between Djokovic and Alcaraz was billed as the match of the year and for the first two sets it lived up to the hype, but it ultimately finished in a damp squib as the Spaniard struggled with a calf problem and cramping from the third set onwards.

Djokovic came away with the 6-3, 5-7, 6-1, 6-1 victory to secure his place in a 34th Grand Slam final with history waving at him.

If he defeats Casper Ruud in Sunday’s showpiece match in Paris then he will move to 23 Grand Slams and take the outright record for most majors won by a male player – putting him one ahead of Rafael Nadal.

“Obviously this was a big win under the circumstances that were obviously a little bit strange, especially in the third and fourth. But a win is a win,” the third seed said.

“I put myself in another really ideal position to win a Grand Slam. That’s basically what still drives me when I wake up in the morning and think about the season and think about things I want to achieve.

“I’m thinking really just to win another Grand Slam title here on Sunday, and I’m so close. I know it. I know the feeling. I’ve had this feeling quite a few times in my career.

“So I know how I need to handle myself, my emotions, my day tomorrow, and after tomorrow, and to approach the finals in the best possible way.”

Ruud booked his third Grand Slam final appearance as he blitzed Alexander Zverev 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 and while the Norwegian will be looking to win his maiden major, the pressure is still very much on Djokovic’s as he bids to create history.

“Pressure is always on my shoulders, so it’s not going to be different. But it’s part of my sport, part of my life. I will play someone that already has been in a Grand Slam final” he said.

“But again, experience on my side, but does it win matches? I don’t think so. I just have to recover well, be prepared for another long battle, and, you know, after the finals, if I win, let’s talk about history.”

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