Paris (AFP)

At 34, Novak Djokovic won his second Roland Garros and his 19th Grand Slam title on Sunday at the expense of Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6- 4, and sent out a strong message to young people who want his place as well as to elders: whether we like him or not, he is currently the strongest.

Because with this new coronation, after 2016, on the land of Rafael Nadal whom he eliminated in the semi-finals, the Serbian became the only player of the Open era (since 1968) to have won at least twice each of the four Grand Slam tournaments (9 titles in Australia, 2 at Roland Garros, 5 at Wimbledon and 3 at the US Open). And, already a winner of the Australian Open this year, he is back one length of the record of 20 major titles co-held by Nadal and Roger Federer. Until Wimbledon and the US Open where he will be favorite.

"I played almost nine hours in the last 48 hours against two great champions. It was really tough physically and mentally, but I trusted my abilities and I knew I could do it," said declared Djokovic after his final victory in 4:11.

He also became the only player to have beaten Nadal twice on Parisian clay.

The first set against Tsitsipas was hooked, and as the second developed, it became questionable how Djokovic could get back into the game.

But after the loss of the second set, he went out to change.

Coming back dressed in red, he changed the course of history.

"It's a dream come true once again," he said, just before receiving the trophy from Björn Borg, the six-title Swede on Parisian clay.

- Experience -

While Tsitsipas (22) gave in, physically and mentally, Djokovic put his experience to use: aged 34, he was able to keep his ideas clear until the end, on a Philippe-Chatrier court filled to a third (5,000 people ) for sanitary reasons but heated to white.

As proof, this short crossed passing on Tsitsipas who put the pressure by climbing to the net to 1-3 in the 5th set.

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The match point won, Djokovic first displayed internalized joy, arms raised to the sky, usual salute to the four stands of the court, before advancing towards his box where his parents and his wife had seated, and to let burst his joy in an ecstatic howl.

Meanwhile, Tsitsipas was prostrate, his head under a towel.

Then shortly after, he held back his tears on the podium, having in his hands not the Musketeers Cup that he once thought was within his reach, but the finalist's plateau.

"Novak has shown what a great champion he is and I hope one day I will achieve half of what he did," commented the Greek after playing his first Major final.

- "Happy" -

"I did my best. I had a good tournament and I'm happy with myself," he added without being able to hide his terrible disappointment.

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"I know it's tough, but in tennis there can't be two winners," Borg told him.

At 22, Tsitsipas was the emerging player to have taken the longest time to confirm, despite a Masters title at the end of the year in 2019: Dominic Thiem (27) had played two finals at Roland Garros (2018 and 2019) before winning the US Open 2020, Daniil Medvedev (25) had played two finals (US Open 2019 and Australian Open 2021), Alexander Zverev (24) had played one final (US Open 2020).

Tsitsipas had three failures in the semi-finals (Australia 2019 and 2021, Roland-Garros 2020).

But this year, he won his first Masters 1000, in Monte-Carlo, and appeared at Roland-Garros as the leader of the Race (ranking over the season).

Now he is in the big leagues.

Djokovic, him, in that of the giants.

© 2021 AFP