Novak Djokovic makes history in Paris

For the first time in almost fifty years a single man holds the four major tennis trophies. Novak Djokovic, the 29-year-old gluten-free Serbian, has won the 2016 French Open to complete a career Grand Slam. Besides now being defending champion in Paris, Djokovic reigns in Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open. The last man to do so was 'Rocket' Rod Laver in 1969, at the dawn of the 'Open' era of tennis.
 

On Sunday, Djokovic recovered from a set down to defeat his long-time friend and foe, Briton Andy Murray, to claim a first title at Roland Garros, after three previous losses in the final.

Although Murray raced off the blocks, Djokovic caught up with him - and thensome. After giving up the opening set, the World No.1 pumped up his second serve and cut down on unforced errors.
 

Not particularly tested against Tomas Berdych in the quarterfinal and Dominic Thiem in the semis, Djokovic took a while to adjust to the higher quality of his final opponent.

There was also the chance that the 'Djoker', fun and games notwithstanding, could succumb to the enormity of the task at hand - after all, a career slam gets one into a platinum class lounge to which even Ivan Lendl, Mats Wilander, Jimmy Connors and Pete Sampras are denied access. The Serb was also closing in on almost a dozen unsuccessful tries at the French Open.
 

But once Djokovic hit his straps it began to appear that Murray's awareness of his poor track-record against a stronger opponent would have greater bearing on the contest than the pressure of Djokovic's pursuit of history.

The Boris Becker pupil won 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 under the watchful eyes of his flaxen-haired Teutonic coach, and then celebrated in what has become customary fashion

Could this ever-smiling, 12-major winning, $100-million champion be the greatest ever?  Smoother than Federer? Superior to Nadal? Cooler than Borg? Hungrier than Laver? He only just turned 29, could he get even better with the French Open monkey off his back? 
 

With Federer and Nadal on the wane, could his dominance increase? How soon can the new crop rising in the shape of the Raonics, the Thiems and the Zverevs pose a genuine threat? 

Intriguing days ahead in men's tennis. With or without meldonium.

• Novak Djokovic
• French Open
• Tennis
• ATP
• Grand Slam
• Roland Garros