If you miss out on watching a
Novak Djokovic match at this stage of his career, know you are missing from witnessing history unfold before your eyes.
When the dust settled on Monday night on Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic broke a two-man tie for the most Grand Slam match wins in the Open Era
in another epic comeback against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina to reach the
Roland Garros quarterfinal.
Less than 48 hours earlier, Djokovic
tied the all-time record of 369 Grand Slam match wins with arch-rival
Roger Federer after producing a late-night escape against Lorenzo Musetti in the third round, fighting back from two sets to one down to win five sets at 3 a.m Sunday morning.
The match ultimately
set the record for the latest finish at Roland Garros, but Djokovic recovered in time, both mentally and physically, for another grueling five-setter.
He overcame
a midmatch knee injury and a break deficit in the fourth set to beat 23rd Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 in four hours and 40 minutes. He now holds the record of 370 Grand Slam match wins, which is more than any other player across both tours.
It is also the 59th time he has progressed into the quarterfinal of a major tournament, surpassing Federer in another all-time record on the men's tour.
The debate about whether Novak Djokovic is the greatest tennis player of all time can now be put to rest because the Serbian is effectively the most decorated big-stage player.
He has won more Grand Slams than any other man (24) and has now made more finals (36), semifinals (48), and quarterfinals (59) at the majors than all his competitors.
Djokovic is also the record holder for the most weeks at No. 1,
celebrating his 428th and potentially his last week because
he will lose it to Jannik Sinner after the tournament.