<p>Novak Djokovic said he never doubted he could launch a dramatic fightback from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's French Open final and claim a 19th Grand Slam title and become the first man in 52 years to win all four majors twice.</p>.<p>The world number one triumphed 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over the Greek 22-year-old who was playing in his first Slam final.</p>.<p>His victory over four hours followed having to also play four hours to beat 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals on Friday.</p>.<p>"I have played almost nine hours over the last 48 hours against two great champions, it was really tough physically over the last three days, but I trusted in my capabilities and knew I could do it," said the 34-year-old Djokovic.</p>.<p>"It was an electric atmosphere. I want to thank everyone who has been with me on this journey."</p>.<p>Djokovic is now just one major away from equalling the all-time record of 20, jointly held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.</p>.<p>He has time on his side. He is a year younger than Nadal and has the best part of six years on Federer.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-defeats-tsitsipas-to-win-french-open-997143.html" target="_blank">Novak Djokovic defeats Tsitsipas to win French Open</a></strong></p>.<p>Sunday's victory also put him halfway to a rare calendar Grand Slam.</p>.<p>It was a second French Open crown for Djokovic after his 2016 victory and adds to his nine Australian Opens, five Wimbledon titles and three at the US Open.</p>.<p>He is the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slams on multiple occasions and just the third in history.</p>.<p>"I would like to say a few words to Stefanos. I can relate to what he's going through and I understand how difficult it is to lose in the final," said Djokovic who has lost four finals in Paris - three against Nadal and one to Stan Wawrinka.</p>.<p>"These are the kind of matches you learn from most and knowing him and his team, he will come out much stronger.</p>.<p>"I definitely believe he will win many Grand Slams in the future."</p>.<p>Tsitsipas hailed Djokovic as a great champion as his first Slam final appearance ended in a heartbreaking defeat having been in command for the first two sets.</p>.<p>It was his third successive loss on clay to the Serb after they played a five-set semi-final at the 2020 French Open and the quarter-finals in Rome on the eve of this year's French Open.</p>.<p>"I tried my best," said weary-looking world number five Tsitsipas.</p>.<p>"I had a good run and am happy with myself, but let's give it to Novak because he has shown us over the past couple of years what a great champion he is.</p>.<p>"I am inspired by the things he has achieved and I hope one day I can maybe do half of what he has done so far."</p>.<p>Both men won praise from Swedish legend Bjorn Borg who presented the trophies.</p>.<p>Borg won the French Open six times in a career which yielded 11 Grand Slam titles.</p>.<p>"To see these two great champions and watch these guys is unbelievable," he said.</p>.<p>"Unfortunately tennis is a tough sport, it is only one winner. Perhaps it should be two."</p>
<p>Novak Djokovic said he never doubted he could launch a dramatic fightback from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's French Open final and claim a 19th Grand Slam title and become the first man in 52 years to win all four majors twice.</p>.<p>The world number one triumphed 6-7 (6/8), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 over the Greek 22-year-old who was playing in his first Slam final.</p>.<p>His victory over four hours followed having to also play four hours to beat 13-time champion Rafael Nadal in the semi-finals on Friday.</p>.<p>"I have played almost nine hours over the last 48 hours against two great champions, it was really tough physically over the last three days, but I trusted in my capabilities and knew I could do it," said the 34-year-old Djokovic.</p>.<p>"It was an electric atmosphere. I want to thank everyone who has been with me on this journey."</p>.<p>Djokovic is now just one major away from equalling the all-time record of 20, jointly held by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.</p>.<p>He has time on his side. He is a year younger than Nadal and has the best part of six years on Federer.</p>.<p><strong>Read | <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/sports/tennis/novak-djokovic-defeats-tsitsipas-to-win-french-open-997143.html" target="_blank">Novak Djokovic defeats Tsitsipas to win French Open</a></strong></p>.<p>Sunday's victory also put him halfway to a rare calendar Grand Slam.</p>.<p>It was a second French Open crown for Djokovic after his 2016 victory and adds to his nine Australian Opens, five Wimbledon titles and three at the US Open.</p>.<p>He is the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win all four Slams on multiple occasions and just the third in history.</p>.<p>"I would like to say a few words to Stefanos. I can relate to what he's going through and I understand how difficult it is to lose in the final," said Djokovic who has lost four finals in Paris - three against Nadal and one to Stan Wawrinka.</p>.<p>"These are the kind of matches you learn from most and knowing him and his team, he will come out much stronger.</p>.<p>"I definitely believe he will win many Grand Slams in the future."</p>.<p>Tsitsipas hailed Djokovic as a great champion as his first Slam final appearance ended in a heartbreaking defeat having been in command for the first two sets.</p>.<p>It was his third successive loss on clay to the Serb after they played a five-set semi-final at the 2020 French Open and the quarter-finals in Rome on the eve of this year's French Open.</p>.<p>"I tried my best," said weary-looking world number five Tsitsipas.</p>.<p>"I had a good run and am happy with myself, but let's give it to Novak because he has shown us over the past couple of years what a great champion he is.</p>.<p>"I am inspired by the things he has achieved and I hope one day I can maybe do half of what he has done so far."</p>.<p>Both men won praise from Swedish legend Bjorn Borg who presented the trophies.</p>.<p>Borg won the French Open six times in a career which yielded 11 Grand Slam titles.</p>.<p>"To see these two great champions and watch these guys is unbelievable," he said.</p>.<p>"Unfortunately tennis is a tough sport, it is only one winner. Perhaps it should be two."</p>