Novak Djokovic’s recent quarter-final win against Karen Khachanov at the French Open saw him eclipse Roger Federer’s long-standing tie-break record. This time, it was during the second set on the Philippe-Chatrier Court that Djokovic once again held his nerve to win the tie-break against the Russian. Having done so, the Serb took his overall career tie-break winning record to 65.5% which is fractionally higher than Federer’s 65.4%.
Another clutch performance on the road to eternal greatness
The events in Paris during this quarter-final were another example of Djokovic’s unflappable temperament whilst under the most intense pressure and provide yet more evidence of why the 36-year-old will end his career as the most successful men’s tennis player of all time. The latest tennis odds today back this theory up as the Serb is at 21/10 to win Roland Garros and make history.
However, even if Djokovic isn’t able to go all the way at the French Open, he has been priced at short odds of 6/5 to win Wimbledon just a month later which would hand him that expected 23rd career Grand Slam. Essentially, it is a matter of when and not if Djokovic does what no other men’s tennis player in the history of the sport has been able to do.
When that moment does eventually arrive, questions will naturally be asked about Djokovic’s journey to the summit of the sport and how he was able to go further than any other player to have ever picked up a racket. There will be various views on Djokovic’s greatest quality during his coronation as the greatest of all time but at the top of the list should be his ability to put all his mental fortitude into prevailing while confronted with the here and now.
Djokovic scores 7 points in a row to take the second set!#RolandGarros | Novak Djokovic pic.twitter.com/bueIdKptSm
A look back on how many matches he has won after beating players in a tie-break is the best example of his unmatched powers of concentration.
Untouchable, unbeatable, and unshakeable
Incredibly, the Serb has managed to win 307 tiebreaks in his career and only lose 162 - these figures are accurate up until the 2023 semi-final of the French Open. Perhaps the most famous of all these triumphs was during the Wimbledon 2019 final when he stopped Federer on two different occasions whilst the Swiss legend was serving for the match. Against all odds, the Serb then spectacularly turned the game around to claim the championship in front of a disbelieving crowd at the All England Club.
Mats Wilander: "Novak is unbelievable!"
Novak Djokovic is super clutch when it comes to the key moments! #RolandGarros | @Babsschett pic.twitter.com/oRGr2zsAOR
It is a sensational record and by Djokovic’s own admission, his success is down to being present whilst in the heat of the moment after saying: “I'm focused only on the next point and I have to really think clearly about what I want to do, obviously depending on who you're facing in a given opponent.”
Yes, this impenetrable mindset has aided his relentless pursuit of excellence and let him accumulate a prolific record in sudden-death scenarios but it has also put crippling doubt into the head of his opponents who know that statistically, there isn’t anyone better during tiebreaks. When a rival player processes this information as Djokovic tosses up the ball before he serves during a tie-break, you can understand why they might be feeling as if they’re already beaten.
A man with no equal
The crucial point to make is that Djokovic has earned the right to be revered in these highly pressurised situations after successfully outlasting every opponent he has ever played in a tie-break. Without this rare talent of unshakable composure, the Serb’s Grand Slam record would be in the single digits and not on the brink of the most of all time in the men’s game.
