Novak Djokovic vs Casper Ruud final score, result & highlights as Serb wins 2023 French Open final

Author Photo
Dan Gibbs
• 18 min read
Getty

Novak Djokovic is officially the most successful men's tennis player of all time after winning his 23rd grand slam title with a 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-5 victory over Casper Ruud in the French Open final.

A straight-sets win against the 24-year-old Norwegian puts him one above 'King of Clay' Rafael Nadal in the all-time list of grand slam winners, with the Spaniard missing the tournament completely through injury.

Ruud, who finished runner-up to Nadal in last year's final, gave it his all but denying the 36-year-old a third French Open title - and the chance to become the first man to win each of the four grand slam tournaments at least three times - was a seemingly impossible task from the off.

Nadal wasted no time in congratulating his rival by taking to Twitter in the immediate aftermath, posting: "Many congrats on this amazing achievement. Twenty-three 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!"

This is also Djokovic’s 94th tournament victory at ATP level, equalling Ivan Lendl for the third-most in the Open Era  — American Jimmy Connors holds the record with 109. 

"It’s not a coincidence that I’ve won my 23rd grand slam here in Paris," Djokovic said in his acceptance speech. "This tournament’s always been the hardest for me to win, so I’m very emotional right now. It means a lot to me."

Having already won the Australian Open in January, Djokovic will be among the favourites to triumph at Wimbledon next month and then pursue the calendar Grand Slam with the US Open on the horizon later in the year.

MORE: Tennis' top grand slam winners of all-time: Who has won the most titles?

Novak Djokovic vs. Casper Ruud result 

  1 2 3
Novak Djokovic 7 (7) 6 7
Casper Ruud 6 (1) 3 5

Novak Djokovic vs. Casper Ruud live updates, highlights from French Open 2023 final

*Denotes server

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 7-5 Casper Ruud — DJOKOVIC WINS THIRD SET AND THE MATCH

Ruud overhits a forehand to give Djokovic a 15-0 lead. A backhand into the net puts him 30-0 and there's no sign of nerves at all. Two points away from history. Another extraordinary forehand winner from the Serb gives him three championship points. He looks to the sky before delivering a serve out wide but then misses the return. A tad anti-climatic that, Novak!

He lets out a wry smile and waits for the crowd to calm down. A short rally ensues before Ruud hits a forehand wide and Djokovic collapses to the floor in ecstasy!

NOVAK DJOKOVIC IS A RECORD-BREAKING 23-TIME GRAND SLAM WINNER!

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 6-5 *Casper Ruud

Ruud falls two points behind at the worst time and suddenly Djokovic is two points away from a crucial break. Just like the previous game, Djokovic whips a delicious forehand winner to get three break points and his 50th winner of the match. A backhand winner gives him the break! He's nearly there...

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 5-5 Casper Ruud

More aces, more points. At 40-0, Djokovic delivers a forehand winner with so much top spin Ruud walks back to his towel just shaking his head as if to say "how am I meant to cope with that?"

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 4-5 *Casper Ruud

Djokovic fluffs a drop shot at 0-15. Ruud goes on the offensive at the next point to punish Djokovic's short ball but then follows up with an error of his own, 30-30. Djokovic gives away a cheap point and then sends a shot wide. So, Djokovic now has to serve to stay in the set.

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 4-4 Casper Ruud

Ruud hasn't taken Djokovic to deuce since 3-4 in the first set but two errors from the favourite give him a great chance to do so now, 0-30. Djokovic gets a lucky net drop on the third point before delivering a ninth ace of the match to draw level. After a slight delay waiting for the crowd to stay quiet, Djokovic hold again... although Ruud is getting closer.

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 3-4 Casper Ruud*

A brilliant hold of serve from Ruud with Djokovic sensing a chance to break but the Norwegian isn't playing ball and rolling over as he keeps his nerve. He now needs to find a different gear on Djokovic's serve... which admittedly is easier said than done!

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

Djokovic doesn't get to 40-0 for once! It's 30-15 before he forces Ruud into an unreturnable serve to get to 40-15 and then it's business as usual as Djokovic closes out the game... but some progress for Ruud!

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

Ruud pulls off a tricky overhead on his way to getting to 30-15 before delivering a big serve down the middle, 40-15. A wild forehand effort allows Djokovic back in and then the Serb hits a delicious forehand that rockets past Ruud. He sees off the game with an ace.

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

Exchanges aren't lasting as long anymore with Djokovic picking his corners with his winning shots. Once again it's a case of blink and you miss Djokovic getting to 40-0 before seeing it out.

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

Ruud hits a lovely backhand volley at the net on the stretch to attract plaudits of his own from the crowd. But the Norwegian is stopped in his tracks as Djokovic draws up break point with a fierce forehand down the line. Ruud escapes though to move 2-1 ahead.

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

Djokovic could do these service games with his eyes closed right now as he races to 40-0. It's all straight forward stuff. He holds to love.

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

Djokovic is entering ruthless mode here. A vicious double-handed backhand across court leaves Ruud no chance. Ruud responds with only his second ace of the match to go 30-30 and goes on to hold.

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

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 6-3 Casper Ruud — DJOKOVIC WINS SECOND SET

Wow! Power and angle with a forehand winner across court from Djokovic that has his team on their feet applauding, 30-0. Ruud slips on a return at the next and Djokovic has three set points. He only needs one though as he drills a backhand down the line. One set away from history for the 36-year-old!

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 5-3 *Casper Ruud

Ruud misses a sitter of a forehand to fall 15-30 behind and put extra pressure on himself. Djokovic then hits a quality return right into Ruud's feet that he can't control and the Serb has two set points. He saves one via a Djokovic mistake and then another with a stunning forehand out wide. Ruud regains his composure to hold and will at least now make Djokovic serve for the second set.

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 5-2 Casper Ruud

While Ruud's hanging in there with his own serve, he's looked miles off getting close to breaking his opponent. But brilliant energy around the court sees him get to 15-30 after some exciting exchanges. But in the blink of an eye Djokovic is back on top following two unforced errors from Ruud and the favourite gets a hold. One game away from a two-set lead.

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 4-2 *Casper Ruud

No let up from Djokovic as he goes in pursuit of the double break but Ruud appears to scuff a shot (he may have meant it!) as his forehand winner wrong foots Djokovic to move to 30-15. Errors from Djokovic leads to Ruud holding serve.

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 4-1 Casper Ruud

A seventh ace of the match takes Djokovic to 30-0. More of the same forehand precision from Djokovic gets him to 40-15 before a surprise double fault follows. Ruud sends a forehand beyond the base line to restore Djokovic's three-game cushion.

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

Ruud gets a bit of luck with his shot clipping the top of the net and bouncing over to take the opener. A couple of mistakes from Djokovic gives Ruud some hope and the Norwegian gets his first game of the set.

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

A couple of aces puts Djokovic 40-0 up and before long he holds again. Worrying thing for Ruud is that only now the Serb looks to be starting to enjoy himself...

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 2-0 *Casper Ruud

Djokovic found his best form in that last tie-break and he wants to carry on riding that wave right now. He gets to 0-30, before Ruud hits a forehand winner right into the corner to get on the board. Djokovic gets a ridiculous amount of whip on the next point from a return serve though to draw up two break points. Ruud saves both. Djokovic gets his first overhead smash winner to set himself a third break point but again can't take advantage. Djokovic wins a monumental rally to get a fourth and this time he takes it! 

*Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) 1-0 Casper Ruud

Right then, we go again! You'd have to think Ruud can't really afford to lose this set if he wants to stand any chance of winning today. Djokovic holding to love in the opening game of this second set is not the way to go about it...

Novak Djokovic 7-6 (7-1) Casper Ruud — DJOKOVIC WINS TIE-BREAK AND FIRST SET

An ace takes Djokovic to five set points and he seals the set with a forehand into space. Incredible composure from the two-time French Open champion.

Novak Djokovic 6-6 (5-1) Casper Ruud — TIE-BREAK

Ruud is up and running in the tie-break as he wins the first on his serve. Djokovic forces his opponent into a mistake at the net on the fifth point and again wins another as Ruud sends a shot wide of the mark.

Novak Djokovic 6-6 (3-0) Casper Ruud — TIE-BREAK

Djokovic lets fly with a vicious forehand winner to take the opening pointsand then shows his experience with a lovely volley at the net for the second. Ruud smashes a forehand wide at the worst time to fall three behind.

*Novak Djokovic 6-6 Casper Ruud

Ruud has Djokovic running all over the court on the second point to drill a backhand down the line, 15-15. The Serb wins the next two points comfortably and seals the game with a delicate backhand slice. Into the tie-break we go! Djokovic has won all five tie-breaks he's played this tournament.

Novak Djokovic 5-6 *Casper Ruud

A delicious backhand volley at the net leaves Djokovic no chance, 30-15. He keeps his cool to move to 40-15 and then executes a forehand volley to force Djokovic to now hold serve to go to a tie-breaker.

*Novak Djokovic 5-5 Casper Ruud

A brilliant backhand lob has Djokovic scampering to the base line but he can't get there in time to return it, 0-15. The next point he wins is even better, pulling out a tweener mid-rally as Djokovic slips at the wrong time when trying to return a volley at the net. The 22-time grand slam winner is soon level with some gutsy tennis and then gets to 40-30 courtesy of an error from Ruud. Another error gets sees him get an important hold.

Novak Djokovic 4-5 *Casper Ruud

Ruud falls 0-30 behind before Djokovic hits a wayward backhand to allow him back in. A first ace of the match draws Ruud level but he then slices a backhand into the net to gift Djokovic break point but the Serb can't capitalise on it. Ruud has Djokovic on the deck at deuce with the latter slipping as he attempts a backhand return out wide and he's lucky the fall isn't more serious. Ruud holds with a volley at the net and lets out a big roar to his team.

*Novak Djokovic 4-4 Casper Ruud

Djokovic is taking advantage of the new balls on his serve but Ruud is also enjoying them with some huge forehand winners as he gets to 15-30. The 24-year-old plays a delightful drop shot to get himself break point but Djokovic saves it, this time an overhead smash comes off as he breathes a sigh of relief. He builds on that momentum and wrong foots Ruud to hold and draw level.

Novak Djokovic 3-4 *Casper Ruud

A stunning controlled forehand volley at the net from Ruud is the perfect way to get the fans back on your side though as he wins the opening point. Two backhand errors from Ruud then puts Djokovic in the driving seat before Djokovic misses a second overhead shot of the match. He can't believe it, 30-30. Djokovic does get break point though and this time Ruud misses an overhead shot at the end of a 28-shot rally and is broken! First signs of emotion from Djokovic as he raises his fist to the crowd.

*Novak Djokovic 2-4 Casper Ruud

Djokovic is certainly finding his rhythm with the serves as Ruud struggles to get any decent connection on the returns, 30-0. At 40-0, Djokovic hits a forehand into the net. He has the crowd on side though and Ruud drills one wide to concede the game.

Novak Djokovic 1-4 *Casper Ruud

Ferocious firepower from Ruud gets him to 30-0 despite the best defensive efforts of his opponent. Djokovic unleashes on a double backhand at the end of a long rally but gets it all wrong, 40-15. Ruud holds again with a forehand winner into space and he's looking comfortable in the early stages.

*Novak Djokovic 1-3 Casper Ruud

Djokovic seems in a hurry to wrap up his service game and get his first points on the board... and he does just that. A couple of big serves sees Ruud unable to return and Djokovic holds to love.

Novak Djokovic 0-3 *Casper Ruud

Djokovic produced eight unforced errors in those opening two games and starts the third with another. He makes another, this time with his backhand, to go to 30-30. Djokovic then hits a shot beyond the base line but Ruud double faults at the next point, deuce. Ruud gets the hold and let's be honest nobody saw this happening!

*Novak Djokovic 0-2 Casper Ruud

Drop shots aren't working for either player in the early stages so far. Djokovic delivers a massive 209 km/h serve to move to 30-15 before Ruud draws level. The Serb then hits a forehand long and presents Ruud with an early break point. Djokovic survives as he so often does on the big occasion but then gifts Ruud another break point with a wayward forehand wide. He saves a second with a forehand down the line. Several deuces later with some brilliant returns by Ruud and the Norwegian gets the break at the third attempt!

Novak Djokovic 0-1 *Casper Ruud

The opening two points go to Ruud as Djokovic crashes a forehand into the net before the Norwegian smashes a volley into the ground at the net. He carries that momentum into holding to love with a forehand winner that gives him the perfect start.

5 mins to go: Final warm ups are done. Can Djokovic make tennis history? We'll find out in a few hours. Let's get going!

10 mins to go: The players are making their way out. The roof is currently half closed on Philippe Chatrier in anticipation of rain. We might have to have a stoppage later on in order to close the roof if the rain descends on the French capital.

20 mins to go: The odds aren't in Ruud's favour that's for sure. But he'll take plenty of confidence going into this match having beaten Alexander Zverev in straight sets in his semifinal.

35 mins to go: So how does Djokovic feel about the prospect of making tennis history today and going one clear of Nadal's 22 grand slam titles if he wins?

"I like the feeling, it's an incredible privilege to be able to make history in the sport I truly love and has given me so much," Djokovic said.

"The motivation is very high, as you can imagine. There is one more to go to hopefully get my hands on the trophy.

"I have 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 things I want to achieve. The Grand Slams are what drives me the most."

1 hour to go: Hello and welcome to The Sporting News' live coverage of Novak Djokovic vs. Casper Ruud! It's French Open final day and the Serb is three sets away from winning a record 23rd grand slam! 

How to watch Novak Djokovic vs. Casper Ruud at 2023 French Open

NBC will carry the French Open men's singles final between Novak Djokovic and Casper Ruud. Options for cord-cutters include the network's dedicated streaming platform, Peacock, or Fubo, which offers U.S. subscribers a free trial.

  • TV channel (Canada): TSN, RDS
  • Live stream: TSN Direct
     
  • TV channel (U.K.): Eurosport
  • Live stream: Discovery+
  • TV channel (Australia): 9Gem
  • Live stream: Stan Sport, 9Now
  • TV channel (India): Sony TEN
  • Live stream: SonyLiv

MORE: Tennis' top grand slam winners of all time

Author(s)
Author Photo
Dan Gibbs
Dan is a sub-editor for The Sporting News' UK edition.
tennis
French Open
Novak Djokovic
Casper Ruud
Novak Djokovic v Casper Ruud
LATEST VIDEOS