French Open final LIVE: Novak Djokovic makes tennis history with record-breaking grand slam win

Novak Djokovic has made tennis history by winning a men’s record 23rd grand slam title after beating Casper Ruud in the French Open final at Roland Garros.

Djokovic defeated Ruud 7-6 6-3 7-5 to win his third French Open crown and move ahead of his great rival Rafael Nadal to take the outright lead in the men’s grand slam race for the first time. The victory moves the 36-year-old Serbian level with Serena Williams on 23 major titles, one short of Margaret Court’s overall record of 24.

Djokovic also becomes the oldest ever French Open champion at 36 and is now halfway to completing the calendar grand slam - a feat not achieved in men’s tennis since Rod Laver won all four majors in a single year in 1969. Djokovic will head to Wimbledon next month looking to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight singles titles at the All England Club.

Follow live reaction from the French Open final below after Djokovic made history at Roland Garros.

French Open final LIVE: Latest Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud updates

• Novak Djokovic stands alone after passing Rafael Nadal’s grand slam record

• Game, set and match! Djokovic wins record-breaking grand slam title

• Second set! Emphatic Djokovic crushes Ruud’s hopes after breaking early

• First set! Djokovic takes 81-minute epic after playing flawless tiebreak

• Djokovic bids for men’s record 23rd grand slam title and third French Open

• Ruud returns to Roland Garros final aiming for first grand slam victory

• Iga Swiatek crowned women’s champion to complete French Open hat-trick

The scary truth behind Novak Djokovic’s historic French Open victory

19:03 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic has spent most of his life playing catch up to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Only now, at 36, has he finally reached the summit to stand alone at the top.

With his victory in the French Open final, the Serbian has claimed a men’s record 23rd grand slam title, moving ahead of his great rival Nadal on the most successful court of the Spaniard’s career. Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud 7-6 6-3 7-5 on the clay of Roland Garros to claim his third French Open crown, also becoming the first man to win each of the four grand slams at least three times. Djokovic is now level with Serena Williams with 23 grand slams, while Margaret Court’s overall record of 24 is the next target.

But with history on the line, Djokovic produced a performance that showed why he is likely to finish his career with a far higher total, and as the most successful player of all time. Against Ruud, Djokovic saved his best level for the biggest moments of the match and was faultless in the crucial first-set tiebreak. Ruud, the 24-year-old Norwegian, battled courageously but Djokovic served immaculately and offered up no opportunities in the second and third sets.

When Djokovic approached the finish line at the end of the third set, he found another gear, winning 12 of the last 13 points while hitting a series of unstoppable forehand shots. Djokovic won the third set with 22 winners to just seven unforced errors. Other players may have felt the pressure but Djokovic, as he so often does, thrived on it. This was another victory built on his supreme mental fortitude.

The scary truth behind Novak Djokovic’s historic French Open victory

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:28 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Djokovic collapses onto the clay! He moves ahead of Rafael Nadal with a 23rd grand slam singles title, more than any other man in history.

What a sensational performance.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

18:38 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

A message from Carlos Alcaraz as well.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

18:17 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Rafael Nadal’s message to Novak Djokovic: “Many congrats on this amazing achievement. 23 is a number that just a few years back was imposible to think about, and you made it! Enjoy it with your family and team!”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Djokovic: “See you next year!”

He is not done with 23. Far from it.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:55 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

This is a classy speech from Djokovic. He thanks former French Open winner Yannick Noah for his inspiration, his family and coach for their patience, tournament director Amélie Mauresmo. Djokovic’s four children are also here to see his moment of history.

Djokovic finishes by thanking football stars - and there are a lot here. Tom Brady, Kylian Mbappe, Zlatan Ibrahmovic.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:52 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Djokovic turns to Ruud: “Casper, you are one of the best people on the tour, one of the best personalities, people around the tour, players, coaches, everybody respects you, appreciates you, loves you, and with good reason.

“I’m sorry for the result today. It’s not the best way to finish for you. You’ve had an incredible couple of years here...you’ve been one of the most consistent players in the world...it speaks about your quality of tennis and your consistency.”

Djokovic jokes: “I would wish you to beat anyone, apart from me!”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:49 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Djokovic: “It’s not a coincidence that I’ve won my 23rd Grand Slam here in Paris. This tournament’s always been the hardest for me to win, so I’m very emotional right now. It means a lot to me.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Here comes the new 23-time grand slam champion...

Djokovic lifts his third French Open trophy above his head! We now get the national anthem of Serbia.

Djokovic will get a special presentation to recognise his 23rd grand slam title.

Djokovic starts his speech in French.

“Thank you everyone for such a great atmosphere. I’m really delighted to be here to share this special moment with you.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Here comes to the trophy presentation.

Casper Ruud: “I think we should start with Novak. Another day, another record for you, another day where you rewrite history. It’s tough to explain how good you are and how good this is. Congrats.”

Classy words from the runner-up. Apart from the second set, I thought Ruud played as well as he could have done today. He has come a long way since last year’s final defeat to Rafael Nadal.

But there is still a long way to go to beat Djokovic at a grand slam.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:39 , Jamie Braidwood

With his victory in the final against Ruud, Djokovic’s aura continued to deny the next generation on the biggest stage. Even at 36, beating Djokovic over best of five sets at a grand slam remains one of the toughest tests in sport and is a challenge that only Nadal and Medvedev have managed to overcome in the past three years. Djokovic has now won 11 of his last 13 grand slam finals; Ruud, the runner-up to Nadal last year, is now without a victory in his first three.

But the Norwegian threw everything he could at Djokovic in an epic 81-minute first set and took a much more aggressive approach than in last year’s final defeat to Nadal, putting his more experienced opponent under pressure behind his heavy forehand. As Djokovic was forced into uncharacteristic errors and Ruud controlled the longer rallies, the Serbian trailed 4-2 but broke back to force the first-set tiebreak. As it so often does, Djokovic found an extra gear and his game increased to its highest level. For the sixth tiebreak in a row at this year’s French Open, Djokovic did not commit a single unforced error as he crushed Ruud 7-1 in the decider.

It set an ominous tone for the rest of the match: Djokovic broke Ruud immediately with another huge effort at the start of the second, sucking the life out of the match and his opponent. Once ahead, Djokovic offered up no opportunities on his serve to close out the set in almost half the time of the first. At the end of the third, with Ruud threatening to force a tiebreak, Djokovic won eight points in a row to hold serve and then break his opponent, reaching an unplayable level.

Novak Djokovic wins French Open to claim record-breaking grand slam title

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

Hugely emotional scenes as Djokovic goes to his box to celebrate the moment.

Djokovic has spent most of his life playing catch up to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. Only now, at 36, has he finally reached the summit to stand alone at the top.

With his victory in the French Open final, the Serbian has claimed a men’s record 23rd grand slam title, moving ahead of his great rival Nadal on the most successful court of the Spaniard’s career. Djokovic defeated Casper Ruud on the clay of Roland Garros to claim his third French Open crown, also becoming the first man to win each of the four grand slams at least three times. Djokovic is now level with Serena Williams with 23 grand slams, while Margaret Court’s overall record of 24 is the next target.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud result

17:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud - Game, set and match!

HISTORY FOR NOVAK DJOKOVIC!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:24 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 6-5 Casper Ruud

This is history... Djokovic goes wide on the forehand...

But he’s still got two more chances. He takes his time to settle...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:23 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 6-5 Casper Ruud

This is tennis from the gods...

Nine points and counting...

10...

Forehand winner from Djokovic! Make that 11 points in a row!

THREE CHAMPIONSHIP POINTS!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:20 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 6-5 Casper Ruud - BREAK!

Djokovic saves his best for last! He flashes an unstoppable forehand winner past Ruud to bring up three break points.

And there it is! Djokovic controls Ruud from the baseline and puts away the backhand winner past his opponent.

That was one of the best return games you will ever see.

Djokovic moves a game away from the French Open title - and history.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:16 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 5-5 Casper Ruud*

Djokovic holds to love again with an unbelievably good forehand winner. Ruud shakes his head. He was nowhere near that.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:14 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 4-5 Casper Ruud

Djokovic starts with a forehand winner, and then hangs on at 0-15. He had no right to be in the rally but the drags a drop shot into the net! That could have been it.

Instead, Ruud battles back and gets a vital hold as Djokovic fires wide on the forehand.

The balance of play is much more level now.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 4-4 Casper Ruud*

Now a chance! Ruud thunders the return at Djokovic, who is caught off guard, and it gets the 24-year-old to 0-30.

That really gets the crowd going...

Net cord! Unbelievable, it drops Djokovic’s way! There are boos from the crowd! As if Djokovic meant that...

15-30.

ACE. 30-30.

Crushing forehands from Djokovic! It’s back to 40-30.

Djokovic is called for a time violation! More booing...

Djokovic responds with another ACE! What a response. He holds his racket up to the sky.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

17:02 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 3-4 Casper Ruud

Ruud is getting the crowd back into this now as the third set reaches its business end. The Norwegian puts away a smash to get the hold.

The crowd are still a bit restless though and Djokovic has to wait as a Mexican wave dies down... Don’t think the match needs that.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:58 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 3-3 Casper Ruud*

Djokovic extends his run of points on serve to ten in a row before Ruud is eventually able to stop the streak at 30-15. Djokovic is again just so comfortable as he closes it out.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:51 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 2-3 Casper Ruud

Djokovic is pushing so hard for this break... He crushes a forehand past Ruud on the turn to bring up another break point, but the Norwegian is still battling hard. Ruud digs in to save it and produces an ace out wide to edge ahead again.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 2-2 Casper Ruud*

Is this guy human? Djokovic crushes the forehand winner down the line to seal another love-hold. It’s just one-way traffic right now.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:42 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 1-2 Casper Ruud

Stunning from Djokovic - but then surprising! He takes on a forehand and puts it away for a clean winner to move 30-40 on the Ruud serve and bring up break point. It’s followed by a poor backhand, with Djokovic overstretching on the shot down the line.

Deuce. Ruud battles well in the baseline rally. Djokovic nets.

And that’s a big hold for Ruud: a confidence booster to save break point.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 1-1 Casper Ruud*

Djokovic is looking like the best server in the world at the moment. A love-hold gets him started in the third.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:34 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 0-1 Casper Ruud

Ruud faces such a long road back now... it should be a bonus to serve first in this third set. Djokovic immediately threatens with a cutting backhand pass to move to 15-30, but Ruud is grateful to find a couple of big serves and get out of trouble with the hold.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:26 , Jamie Braidwood

SET! Novak Djokovic 7-6 6-3 Casper Ruud*

Winner down the line from Djokovic! He closes out an emphatic second set. The Serbian kept up the level of the tiebreak to take the break at the start of the second, and then gave his opponent nothing on the service games.

Too good.

#23 is a set away.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:24 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 5-3 Casper Ruud

So good... Djokovic crushes a stunning inside-out forehand past Ruud to move two points away.

The slice from Ruud goes low into the net...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:20 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 5-3 Casper Ruud

Big error from Ruud after Djokovic palmed the ball back, blasting wide on the forehand.

It puts Djokovic two points away at 15-30...

Djokovic thrashes the return straight back at Ruud’s feet! Stunning return, and Ruud is forced out.

Two set points...

Ruud saves both! Awesome forehand this time from the fourth seed, taking it on from inside the baseline.

And that’s a nice hold. Ruud forces Djokovic to serve it out.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:13 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 5-2 Casper Ruud*

Ok, here we go! Brilliant hitting from Ruud, adding some pace back to his forehand. Djokovic is pushed behind the baseline and Ruud puts away the smash.

15-30. Ruud’s backhand catches the baseline... but the second backhand is dragged wide!

Still a chance at 30-30...

Nope. Not like that. Ruud goes into the net on the forehand and then again on the overhead from the baseline.

Djokovic shuts the door and moves a game away.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:11 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 4-2 Casper Ruud

Ruud is able to come up with a winner down the line and then gets his hold as Djokovic blasts a forehand over the baseline.

Tom Brady is sitting in Djokovic’s box alongside his wife Jelena. He knows a thing or two about what it takes to be a veteran champion...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:06 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 4-1 Casper Ruud*

Djokovic makes his first double fault of the match but finds a safe time for it up 40-15. Djokovic is able to close it out.

The ending seems inevitable now. Ruud needs to raise it, and find something special to spark the match back into life.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

16:02 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-1 Casper Ruud

Ruud halts Djokovic’s run with a guided forehand winner up the line, but needs to find some energy from somewhere. The match has fallen into a bit of a lull after the tiebreak and Djokovic’s electric start at the start of the second. The two-time French Open champion has the match in control now.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:55 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 3-0 Casper Ruud*

As if it couldn’t get any worse for Ruud, Djokovic’s serve is now looking back to its highest level. Two aces and a big serve up the middle, which allows Djokovic to skip up to the volley and touch it over.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:53 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 2-0 Casper Ruud - Break!

Ah, the pressure on Ruud is just getting more intense. Djokovic jumps into a 0-30 lead on the Ruud serve and then guides a backhand return off Ruud’s serve to set up two breaks points.

Ruud saves the first with a brave forehand crosscourt and survives the second as Djokovic went looking for the winner.

At deuce, Djokovic goes after the Ruud second serve puts away the smash, setting up a third break point.

Djokovic turns to his box after missing the return, but he soon sets up another chance with a whipped forehand down the line.

Another break point: and that’s just too good from Djokovic, he pings a sensational return off of a Ruud smash onto the baseline, as the 24-year-old nets.

Djokovic points to his head. That’s a huge break, and the quality of some of his points was off the scale.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 1-0 Casper Ruud*

To make this second set even harder for Ruud, he has to serve second. Djokovic comes out and races to a love-hold.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:41 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 7-6 Casper Ruud

No surprise that the players head off court for a break before the second set begins. It’s a long interval, though, about six or seven minutes.

We’re ready to go again.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Set! Novak Djokovic 7-6 (1) Casper Ruud

Ridiculous. Another flawless tiebreak from Novak Djokovic. Incredibly, he’s still yet to make an unforced error in a tiebreak at this year’s French Open. He’s played six!

That’s tough on Casper Ruud. The Norwegian started so well and led 4-1 in the first set, but then Djokovic responded in the way we’ve become accustomed to.

Ruud played as well as he might have hoped for there but has nothing to show for it after 81 minutes.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:31 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-6 (6-1) Casper Ruud - Tiebreak

Just supreme from Djokovic! He catches Ruud out with a tricky dipping backhand. The volley goes into the net! 4-1.

But Ruud just can’t afford to be making these errors! Another loose swing, this time on the backhand, and Djokovic leads 5-1!

ACE! Silly. Stop it. 6-1 and a whole bunch of set points.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 6-6 (3-1) Casper Ruud - Tiebreak

Djokovic has played five tiebreaks so far this French Open - and won all five. This has often been when he’s found his highest level.

And there it is! Running forehand winner from Djokovic down the line! Stunning, the shot of the match so far. 1-0.

Incredible point! It feels as if Ruud is playing at his maximum, but it’s not enough! Ruud had the chance to go down the line but Djokovic read it, and put away the volley. 2-0.

Stunning defence from Djokovic, wild from Ruud on the forehand! 3-0.

Ruud steadies on serve. Forehand winner down the line. Nicely done. 3-1.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:24 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 6-6 Casper Ruud

So good from Ruud as he takes a backhand on the rise and plants the winner down the line, but Djokovic flashes the forehand winner down the line - he’s biggest winner of the match so far - to get to 40-15.

First serve from Djokovic. Big forehand. Ruud went to the drop shot, but Djokovic meets it!

TIEBREAK!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:22 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 5-6 Casper Ruud

Umpire Damien Dumusois is trying to get Djokovic to take less time in between points. Djokovic is furious. Can he keep his nerve to force the tiebreak?

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:20 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 5-6 Casper Ruud

This first set is already over an hour long - but shows no sign of ending soon. Ruud moves in well and calmly dispatches the volley onto the line at 15-15. Awesome backhand from Ruud crosscourt! Right onto the and Ruud puts the volley into the open court.

Djokovic isn’t happy! He’s arguing with the umpire and the crowd start to boo!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 5-5 Casper Ruud*

CASPER RUUD that is STUNNING! First he moves 0-15 up with a brilliant lob, then he chases down Djokovic’s lob to play the tweener from behind the baseline. Djokovic can’t do enough with the smash - again - and Ruud races to the ball to find the angled volley!

0-30!

But Djokovic comes back well. Closing down Ruud at the net and then pushes the fourth seed back. Ruud went for the backhand winner down the line but put it wide.

30-30. Big point - and Ruud would want that forehand return back. Out.

And that’s a huge hold from Djokovic. He sends Ruud running and the Norwegian can’t keep the forehand in play.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:10 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 4-5 Casper Ruud

Djokovic slips and lands awkwardly! It came as Ruud stepped in well behind an excellent backhand that found the corner, and put away the volley. Ruud pushes Djokovic back again and puts away the smash.

Big hold! Saving break point with a 17-point rally was key.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:05 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 4-4 Casper Ruud*

Suddenly Ruud has lost three games in a row, and Djokovic can sense his moment. A forehand down the line from Djokovic catches out Ruud down low, and the Norwegian nets!

0-30. Djokovic had the chance to step in on the forehand, but Ruud defended well, and Djokovic is unable to keep the backhand in play as he stretched to go down the line. Ace from Ruud! Nicely done. Back to 30-30.

But Ruud is now making a lot more errors now than he did at the start of the match - a backhand slice from the baseline finds the net and gives Djokovic the break point.

Djokovic targets the backhand, but is unable to do enough. Ruud steps into the forehand well! Djokovic doubles over after the latest lengthy exchange.

Deuce.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

15:00 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 4-4 Casper Ruud*

Ooof. There are gasps from the crowd at the size of Ruud’s forehand and he crushes a winner crosscourt to get to 15-30. It’s followed by a net from behind the baseline, but then Ruud gets the crowd on its feet with a lovely disguised drop shot! Beauty.

Chance for Ruud to break straight back: Djokovic found the first serve but then struggled to put Ruud away. A nice forehand down the line set up the smash, which Djokovic puts into the middle of the court! He gets away with it with a volley that clips the line. Well saved, and Djokovic raises his arms.

Deuce.

And there’s the hold. Djokovic gets back level as Ruud goes long on the backhand, followed by the Serbian finding the one-two combination to put a forehand winner away.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:53 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 3-4 Casper Ruud - BREAK!

Ruud makes another great start on serve with a lovely touch at the net. He then painted the line with a forehand cross, but framed his backhand winner over the baseline! From there, Ruud makes another unforced error from mid-court.

15-30, Djokovic goes on the attack, pressing Ruud back. Chance for the smash... and it goes over the baseline again! Another mishit from Djokovic!

But here comes the first break point, Ruud fires long on the forehand side, just looking to do a bit too much.

Break point: and Djokovic wins an incredible rally as Ruud nets on the overhead! Just stunning from both players, searching for the winners, 28 shots in all, so many big forehands mixed up with backhand slices. Ruud had the chance to put the smash away, but couldn’t take it! That’s a big miss and could be a big moment.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 2-4 Casper Ruud*

Djokovic gets a second comfortable hold in a row, starting to find his flow on the serve. He hasn’t been able to get close to Ruud’s service games, though. Two big ones coming up for the world No 4.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:42 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 1-4 Casper Ruud

Awesome hitting from Ruud, who is in complete control of the points when they become extended rallies. I can’t remember seeing Djokovic make this many errors from the baseline.

Ruud takes the hold with a body serve and forehand winner down the line. The super start continues.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:37 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 1-3 Casper Ruud*

Ruud is making life difficult for Djokovic by looping high balls to the back of the court, using the bounce to test Djokovic’s arm. He’s getting into the rallies behind his heavy forehand.

But Djokovic won’t be worried at this stage. He came from a set down to defeat Karen Khachanov in the quarter-finals, and came from behind a lot on his way to winning Wimbledon last year.

Long way to go, though, and the 36-year-old gets on the board with a love to hold.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:31 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 0-3 Casper Ruud

Miss! Ruud works himself into the baseline rally well against Djokovic after the Serbian goes big on the forehand. He had the chance to goes down the line with the winner, but puts it wide!

The Djokovic fans rise at 15-30, but the Serbian then puts a backhand into the net looking to go down the line! Another error from Djokovic - that’s 11 unforced errors so far inside three games!

But Ruud can’t close the game. He makes his first double fault and we go back to deuce.

Great response from Ruud. He makes the forehand winner crosscourt and then produces the kick serve out wide - which Djokovic puts into the net!

What a start from the Norwegian.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:23 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 0-2 Casper Ruud* - BREAK!

Djokovic fires down another big serve on deuce but Ruud is not making this easy and gets back to deuce with clean hitting fom deep behind the baseline.

Djokovic is the one having to stretch and go for the winners - he opens the court to put the forehand winner past Ruud, but then hits the net post on the next point.

Back to deuce: Djokovic with the wide serve and winner past Ruud, but then the 24-year-old blasts the forehand winner off the return!

Ruud has really arrived, but this be a bit gutting not to get anything from this game. Back to deuce.

WOW. Ruud forces another error for Djokovic after getting the Serbian stretching out to the forehand.

It brings up a third break point - and this time Djokovic frames the overhead! Ruud breaks in Djokovic’s opening service game, in a 12-minute epic!

Heck of a start from Ruud.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:19 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 0-1 Casper Ruud

Djokovic blasts a big serve down the middle to get to 30-15 on serve, but Ruud has made an aggressive start and gets his reward for bold play from the baseline. The Norwegian is more than matching Djokovic in the rallies and the Serbian makes two errors in a row to suddenly hand Ruud break point!

Another long rally - this time Djokovic steadies and takes control. Ruud goes long.

Deuce.

Ruud is rock solid from the baseline and forces another error as Djokovic goes long .

Second break point: this time Djokovic cracks the winner down the line!

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:15 , Jamie Braidwood

*Novak Djokovic 0-1 Casper Ruud

Excellent start from Ruud! The fourth seed holds to love behind his forehand, which is working nicely from the start. He also moves in well to put away a volley at the net after Djokovic went for the drop shot.

Tom Brady also looks to be here. Who isn’t?

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud latest score

14:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic 0-0 Casper Ruud*

HERE WE GO! Ruud will serve first. The atmosphere on Court Philippe-Chatrier is electric.

*denotes next server

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

14:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Kylian Mbappe and Hugh Grant are among the stars in the crowd at Roland Garros. Was that Zlatan Ibrahimovic too? It is.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

14:06 , Jamie Braidwood

The roof - for now - has remained open as the players begin their warm-ups.

The stats are against Ruud - he’s never beaten Djokovic in four previous meetings, while the Serbian has won 10 of his last 12 grand slam finals.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

14:04 , Jamie Braidwood

Here come the players - Ruud is out first, Djokovic follows and gets the louder reception, as you might expect. Huge cries of ‘Nole, Nole!’ with plenty of Serbia flags among the home crowd.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

13:58 , Jamie Braidwood

HERE WE GO!

Novak Djokovic is on the verge of history in Paris, but can Casper Ruud spoil the party?

This line from the Norwegian perfectly summed up the challenge he faces.

“Novak is going for his 23rd, I’m going for my first. It’s a big difference,” he said.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

13:44 , Jamie Braidwood

The roof is CLOSING on Court Philippe Chatrier! There is set to be rain this afternoon in Paris and the tournament have decided to not take the risk.

That’s an interesting development and will create new conditions for the players. The roof has been open all fortnight at Roland Garros.

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

13:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic on facing boos from the French Open crowd during his semi-final win against Carlos Alcaraz:

“I don’t mind. It’s not the first; probably not the last. I’ll just keep winning.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

13:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Alexander Zverev, who lost to Casper Ruud in the semi-finals, believes the Norwegian facing Djokovic when the 36-year-old is going for his record grand slam title could be the “best” time to play the Serbian.

“I think it couldn’t be better, to be honest,” Zverev said. “Novak is one of the best players in the world, that’s for sure, but when you’re on the brink of history I think that adds a little bit of pressure. You remember the US Open final he had with Medvedev after beating me in the semis still. The pressure, you know, we are all human. Novak is human. We all feel it.

“So I think for him, for Casper, that’s the best scenario, to be honest.”

My personal opinion is Djokovic is not human...

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

12:59 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic on reaching a 34th grand slam final and putting himself in the position to win a record 23rd title...

“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. The Grand Slams are what drives me the most.

“I won the first Grand Slam this year, and now I’m in the finals of a second one, so I couldn’t ask for more than that.

“As far as all the records that are on the line, again, it’s flattering, it’s great, but, you know, I need to win, you know, in order to make sure to be on that list.

“So I know what I need to do. With my team, we are still locked in. It’s great, but we are already thinking about the next opponents, and hopefully get a title.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

12:44 , Jamie Braidwood

Iga Swiatek is the French Open champion once again after prevailing in a thrilling battle against Karolina Muchova to defend her Roland Garros title in almost three hours. The 22-year-old claimed her third French Open crown in four years and fourth grand slam overall with a 6-2 5-7 6-4 victory over the surprise finalist Muchova, who pushed Swiatek into the third set at Roland Garros for the first time this tournament.

The victory adds to Swiatek’s recent dominance at the French Open and cements her position as the best in the world. The Pole becomes the first player since Justine Henin in 2007 to win back-to-back Roland Garros titles, while Swiatek also becomes the youngest player to win four grand slam titles since Serena Williams.

Iga Swiatek is creating a new French Open dynasty

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

12:29 , Jamie Braidwood

Ruud reached last year’s French Open final but was blown away by Rafael Nadal in straight sets as the Spaniard won his 14th Roland Garros title. Ruud says he will be better prepared this time, as he plays in his third grand slam final.

“It’s just a matter of not thinking like, I ‘need’ to win this match, there’s a really big ‘need’ for me to win this match,” Ruud said. “This is a word that I try to sort of avoid. Obviously in the beginning of the tournament, that’s sort of what you feel more and what you think about more, like this is important to try to get this win and get going in the tournament.

“But now I’m in the final. It’s been a great two weeks no matter what happens on Sunday, and I’m going to of course give it my all, but sometimes you play your best tennis when you don’t think too much. It just goes on automatic mode.

“If you always think, like, oh, I’m close to winning or you can sort of tense up and you can be nervous. Maybe that’s what happened with Carlos today, I’m not sure. But when you’re thinking too much and feeling pressure, maybe you’re not able to breathe in the proper way and calm your body, it’s easy to stress and overthink the situation.

“Just going to try to go out there and know that it’s going to be a long match, marathon match, and play point by point, give it my all, and let’s see how that goes.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

12:14 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic has won all four meetings with Casper Ruud and is yet to drop a set against the Norwegian.

“It’s going to be a tough challenge,” Ruud said. “I have never beaten him before. So I’m going to have to try to come up with a better game plan and just know I’m going to have to play my best game, my A game, my best level that I’ve ever played if I want to have a chance against him.

“I’m going to try to do that, and try to play without too much pressure. That’s sort of what I did today, just went out, didn’t think too much, didn’t want to show too many emotions, either good or bad ones. I was just in the zone. Let’s see if I can keep this sort of feeling and mentality in for the final.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

11:59 , Jamie Braidwood

In the end, Novak Djokovic was right: Carlos Alcaraz may have won their only previous meeting, but best-of-five at a grand slam was always going to be different.

So it proved. For well over two hours, the most-anticipated match of the year lived up to the hype. Djokovic and Alcaraz traded blows and held the French Open crowd in their spell. Djokovic needed to be at his highest level to take the first set 6-3, then Alcaraz found his spark and raised his own game to win the second 7-5. A third set of equal brilliance beckoned, as did a fourth and even a fifth. Djokovic, 36, won 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1.

But then Alcaraz stopped. After jumping on a Djokovic serve, he pulled up and felt his lower right leg. His calf had seized painfully, and the cramps began to spread around his body. “Not only the legs,” Alcaraz said. “The arms, as well.” It was a different match from then. Alcaraz refused to quit but it was a non-contest. The Spaniard, so thrilling when in full flight, moved like a bird whose wings had been clipped.

It is perhaps only now that Alcaraz and everyone else realises how different a proposition facing Djokovic at a grand slam really is.

What happened to Carlos Alcaraz? It was all down to Novak Djokovic

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

11:45 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud on facing Novak Djokovic in the final: “It’s going to be tough, for sure. He’s playing for his 23rd. I’m playing for my first. So I’m going to just try to play without pressure and just try to enjoy the moment.

“I think that was my mentality last year, as well, and it didn’t go my way. Obviously I would like to try to do better than last year. Let’s see if I have learned something from the two previous ones that I played last year.

“It just feels great to be back. I didn’t think or necessarily believe in the beginning of the tournament that I was going to be in the final. I gave it my best, of course, in every match. Took one match at a time.

“It’s going to be toughest challenge of the year for me, to play Novak. We’re going to do our best to be ready and play our best level.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

11:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic on playing for a men’s record 23rd grand slam title: “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, all that I do. I think that having pressure is a privilege. But it’s a source of motivation, as well. Great motivation to play well and to reach Sunday.

“Before the tournament I was saying that of course for me Roland Garros is a Grand Slam, and it’s the most important tournament on this surface. So I was well-prepared so that I would be in this position so that I would be ready for this battle, battle to win this other Grand Slam title.

“I hope that I’ll play my best tennis level on Sunday. The only thing I can say now is that I’m very focused. History is always something that’s hovering over me, but I’m very happy to be in this position to write history of this sport, but I’m just thinking about winning the next match.”

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

11:35 , Jamie Braidwood

Casper Ruud - results so far

1st round: 6-4 6-3 6-2 vs Mikael Ymer (Q)

2nd round: 6-3 6-2 4-6 7-5 vs Giulio Zeppieri

3rd round: 4-6 6-4 6-1 6-4 vs Zhang Zhizhen

4th round: 7-6 7-5 7-5 vs Nicolas Jarry

Quarters: 6-1 6-2 3-6 6-3 vs Holger Rune (6)

Semis: 6-3 6-4 6-0 vs Alexander Zverev (22)

French Open LIVE: Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud

11:33 , Jamie Braidwood

Novak Djokovic - results so far

1st round: 6-3 6-2 7-6 vs Aleksandar Kovacevic

2nd round: 7-6 6-0 6-0 vs Marton Fucsovics

3rd round: 7-6 7-6 6-2 vs Alejandro Davidovich Fokina (29)

4th round: 6-3 6-2 6-2 vs Juan Pablo Varillas

Quarters: 4-6 7-6 6-2 6-4 vs Karen Khachanov (11)

Semis: 6-3 5-7 6-1 6-1 vs Carlos Alcaraz (1)

What time is Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud?

11:32 , Jamie Braidwood

The French Open men’s final is slated to start from 2:30pm BST (UK time) on Sunday 11 June.

It’s a slightly later time than the women’s final, which started at 2:00pm.

How to watch the French Open 2023

11:31 , Jamie Braidwood

You can watch the French Open live on Eurosport in the UK.  The action will be broadcast on Eurosport’s TV channels, or fans can tune into Discovery+ to stream the tournament, where an Entertainment & Sport pass is available for either £6.99/month or £59.99/year.

Watch every moment of Roland-Garros LIVE and exclusive on discovery+, Eurosport and Eurosport App

Good morning

11:30 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s a big day. Novak Djokovic can make tennis history in the French Open final as the Serbian takes on Casper Ruud at Roland Garros.

Djokovic is a win away from breaking the men’s grand slam record and will become the first man to reach 23 major titles if he beats the fourth seed Ruud. The Norwegian was the runner-up in last year’s Roland Garros final as Rafael Nadal won his 22nd grand slam but Djokovic moved level with victories at Wimbledon and the Australian Open and can now go ahead of his great rival for the first time with a third French Open crown.

Djokovic, who is also bidding to become the oldest ever French Open champion at 36, defeated world No 1 Carlos Alcaraz in the semi-finals after the young Spaniard was hit by cramps at the start of the third set. He has won all four previous meetings against Ruud, who has found impressive form once again on the Paris clay after defeating Holger Rune and Alexander Zverev to reach his third grand slam final.

Can Djokovic take the record? Follow live updates from the French Open final throughout the day in our live blog.