QatarTribune Qatar_Tribune Sterling QatarTribuneChannel qatar_tribune strike exacts England revenge over Croatia at Euro 2020 PAGE 12 MONDAY, JUNE 14, 2021 TWICE DELIGHT Djokovic fights back to claim 19th Grand Slam title with epic triumph DPA BERLIN NOVAK Djokovic fought from two sets down for the first time in a Grand Slam fi- It has been an nal to win the French Open unforgettable few 6-7 (6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 moments for me in against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Sunday and move within one my life and my career. of a record-equalling 20 titles I will definitely at the majors. World number one Djoko- remember these vic clinched an epic triumph last 48 hours against a finally tiring oppo- in my life. nent in 4 hours 11 minutes This combination of pictures created on June 13, 2021 shows Serbia’s on Court Philippe Chatrier in Novak Djokovic after his 2021 tennis player Novak Djokovic celebrating and kissing from (top L to front of an enthusiastic crowd French Open win on Sunday down R) the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup after winning the men’s of 5,000 fans allowed in amid singles finals at the Australian Open in Melbourne in 2008 & 2021; the coronavirus restrictions. the Gentleman’s Singles Trophy after winning the men’s singles finals The 34-year-old Serb is at Wimbledon in 2011 & 2019; the US Open trophy after winning only the third player to win the men’s singles finals at US Open in 2011 & 2018; and The Mous- each Grand Slam at least twice, quetaires Cup (The Musketeers) after winning the men’s final of The joining Australians Roy Emer- Roland Garros 2021 French Open in 2016 & 2021. Serbian Djokovic son and Rod Laver, having also is the first player to have won the four Grand Slam titles twice.(AFP) won at Roland Garros in 2016. Djokovic has won nine Australian Opens, two French Novak, now a win away from Opens, five Wimbledons and three US Opens. equalling singles record He can tie Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer on 20 trophies NOVAK Djokovic moved a step in the 1990s, winning seven at the majors at Wimbledon closer to becoming the lead- titles in eight years. He strug- which starts in a fortnight and Novak Djokovic poses with The Mousquetaires Cup (The Musketeers) after winning the men’s singles final of The Roland Garros 2021 French ing male player in Grand Slam gled at Roland Garros, never where he is the title holder. Open in Paris against Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (6-8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday. (AFP) singles history with his 19th reaching the final, and retired Djokovic had reached the title at the French Open. The after winning his 14th title in final with an amazing four-set forcing Djokovic into a wide 34-year-old defeated Stefanos New York in 2002. triumph over the 13-time win- forehand shot. Tsitsipas to lift the Coupe des 12 - Roy Emerson Australian ner Nadal which must have Tsitsipas kept up the mo- Mousquetaires for the second Emerson held the record for 30 taken a big toll on him but he mentum with powerful ground- time on Sunday. Here’s a look at years having won his 12 titles found the energy to fight back strokes to go two sets up as the how things stand: in the 1960s. He, Rod Laver on Sunday. Djokovic appeared to struggle 20 - Roger Federer Federer has and Djokovic are the only men “It has been an unforgetta- less than 48 hours after his co- been the leader since overtak- to have won each title at least ble few moments for me in my lossal tussle with Nadal. ing Pete Sampras by winning twice. Six of Emerson’s titles life and my career. I will defi- But the veteran Serb then the Wimbledon title in 2009. came in Australia in the ama- nitely remember these last 48 found energy and accuracy Eight of his titles have come at teur era with many of his rivals hours in my life,” said Djoko- again, winning the third and the All England Club while his having turned professional. vic after receiving the Coupe fourth rather easily to lock the last trophy came at the Austral- 11 - Rod Laver Laver was one des Mousquetaires from sets at 2-2 against his 22-year- ian Open in 2018. of the players that was excluded six-time tournament winner old opponent who was unable 20 - Rafael Nadal Nadal from the slams as a profession- Bjorn Borg. to maintain the high level. equalled Federer by winning his al but the Australian dominated Tsitsipas said: “It was a big A forehand that sailed long 13th title at Roland Garros last the sport in the 1960s and won fight out there, I tried my best. gave Djokovic the vital break year. The Spaniard has also won 11 slam titles both as an ama- It was a good first time play- for 2-1. Tsitsipas saved first three titles at the US Open over teur and after tennis went Open ing here in the finals, I had a match point with a stunning the last decade. in 1968. He won all four titles good run and I’m happy with backhand winner but Djoko- 19 - Novak Djokovic Undoubted- in both 1962 and 1969, a feat myself.” Greece’s Tsitsipas, vic triumphed on his second ly the number one player of the that remains unmatched. who beat Alexander Zverev in Winner Serbia’s Novak Djokovic (R) and runners-up Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas (3rdL), pose with their chance with his last winner. last decade, Djokovic has won 11 - Bjorn Borg The suave five in the semis, started with trophies next to Swedish tennis legend Bjorn Borg (2ndR), former US tennis player Jim Courier (2ndL) and “Novak has shown over the 18 of his titles since 2010. The Swede was a global superstar a double fault into his maiden President of the French Tennis Federation (FFT) Gilles Moretton during the presentation ceremony at The last years what a champion he Serbian is the only one of the in the 1970s and early 80s. Grand Slam final but held Roland Garros 2021 French Open in Paris on Sunday. (AFP) his. Hopefully I can achieve top three to have won at least He won six French Open titles serve with three aces after fac- half of what he has done,” two titles at each of the slams. and five in a row at Wimbledon ing two break points, while ground as he chased a drop Djokovic broke for 6-5, to earn a set point for himself Tsitsipas said. 14 - Pete Sampras When Sam- but lost all four US Open finals Djokovic raced through the shot and had to dig deep in the only to drop serve as Tsitsi- which Tsitsipas saved with a Djokovic praised Tsitsi- pras set his new record at Wim- he played in and only entered first three service games of his 10th game, saving a first break pas forced a tiebreak where brilliant drop volley. pas, saying he will come back bledon in 2000, it seemed like the Australian Open once. Borg 29th final at the majors with- point which was also set point he led 4-0 and 5-2, and took a The Greek then sealed the stronger and “I know he will it could last for decades. The retired in 1983 at the age of out dropping a point. for Tsitsipas in a monster tumble himself. But Djokovic set after all on his second op- win many Grand Slams in the American dominated Wimbledon just 26. (DPA) Djokovic tumbled to the 24-stroke rally. won four unanswered points portunity after 72 minutes by future.” Krejcikova wins women’s doubles crown after singles victory DPA laxed,” Krejcikova said. “I know BERLIN from now on I can really enjoy myself because I have pretty BARBORA Krejcikova sealed much achieved everything I re- the women’s doubles title at the ally wanted. French Open on Sunday, a day “Now I can just improve, after her singles triumph. that’s the only thing I can do, The second-seeded Czech just keep improving.” pair of Krejcikova and Katerina Sunday’s success sees Kre- Siniakova prevailed 6-4, 6-2 in jcikova return to the top of the 1 hour 14 minutes over Ameri- doubles world rankings. can Bethanie Mattek-Sands and Krejcikova and Siniakova Poland’s Iga Swiatek, last year’s were doubles champions in Par- singles champion. is for the first time in 2018 and Krejcikova, 25, beat Russia’s took the Wimbledon title the Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova 6-1, same year, after already winning 2-6, 6-4 in the singles final on three grand slam titles together Saturday. as juniors. She becomes the first female Krejcikova has three mixed player in 21 years since Mary doubles trophies as well from Pierce in 2000, and the seventh the Australian Open 2019-2021. woman overall, to win a singles “I’m really happy that we and doubles title at Roland Gar- have another title and am look- ros. The last woman to achieve HOME SHOW: France’s Nicolas Mahut (L) and France’s Pierre-Hugues ing forward to continue with our the feat at the majors overall was Herbert celebrate with the Jacques-Brugnon Cup after winning their cooperation in Wimbledon and Serena Williams at Wimbledon CZECH DELIGHT: Barbora Krejcikova (R) of Czech Republic and her compatriot Katerina Siniakova celebrate men’s doubles final 4-6, 7-6 (1), 6-4 against Kazakhstan’s Alexander also for the Olympics,” Krejcik- 2016.