Sporting world reacts to 'extraordinary' Novak Djokovic win, with a Roger Federer-sized exception
He is statistically the best man to ever play the game, and Wally Masur believes Novak Djokovic is showing no signs of slowing down.
In claiming his third Roland-Garros crown – and his 23rd slam – in straight sets over Casper Ruud, the Serbian became the first man to ever win each slam at least three times, and once again took up the mantle as world No.1.
Djokovic holds the record for the most ATP 1000 victories, most cumulative weeks and most year-ends at world No.1, tops the prize money earnings and also has the highest win percentage at 83.4 of any man.
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Novak Djokovic with the winners trophy. Corbis via Getty Images
He's won the last three slams he's entered.
After his victory, Rafael Nadal took to Twitter to congratulate Djokovic, saying 23 "was impossible to think about" only a few years ago.
Andy Murray's mum Judy also posted a photo of a young Djoker from around the time her son first played the boy who would grow up to become the GOAT of men's tennis.
Curiously, Roger Federer has remained silent.
Granted, Federer is not a big user of social media, but he has in the past taken to Twitter to congratulate Nadal on his achievements.
That aside, Aussie great Wally Masur said Djokovic's achievements were "quite extraordinary".
"I never thought I would see this. I saw Pete Sampras get 14, (Bjorn) Borg 11, I just couldn't imagine that these numbers would ever be eclipsed, but here he is," Masur said on Stan Sports' Grand Slam Daily.
"There were big question marks over Novak coming into this tournament – injury, some strange results by his lofty standards … what a moment this has been."
Masur said his forced absences from several slams as a result of his anti-vaccination stance only delayed his arrival at 23.
"I kinda get the feeling he would've got to 23 even earlier had that not been the case," Masur said.
"You can dissect the numbers, go back to players of yesteryear … but he's the best. To date, Novak is the best.
"It's an evolution. Each great champion brings something to the sport, they add something to the sport and they take it to another level.
"Obviously Novak is the beneficiary of all of that evolution, but as it stands right now, he's the best of all time."
Djokovic will not officially play again until Wimbledon, electing to skip the short grass-court season to recover.
Masur said Djokovic may only need to play an exhibition match or two in the week prior to Wimbledon to get his eye-in for the lower, quicker grass courts.
Wimbledon will get underway in just three weeks on July 3.
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