This highly anticipated match, unfortunately, fell short of expectations, which is disappointing considering the opening two sets demonstrated the immense potential of this matchup.
The weight of Djokovic's reputation and the magnitude of the occasion had a profound impact even before the semifinal match commenced.
Carlos Alcaraz, overwhelmed by immense pressure and tension, experienced debilitating full-body cramps that ultimately led to his inability to perform in the third and fourth sets - a complete no-show.
On a brighter note for Djokovic was the exceptional level of play he exhibited in the first and second sets, reaffirming his status as a master of high-stakes matches.
The Serbian undoubtedly relished his triumph over the sensational Spaniard, given the circumstances surrounding their match.
Not only did Djokovic enter the contest as the underdog, but he had also encountered difficulties on clay throughout the year. To add to his satisfaction, his final opponent turned out to be Casper Ruud.
Despite Alexander Zverev's current struggles and his dismal record against top-10 players in slams, Djokovic would have preferred facing Ruud in the final.
Unlike the Norwegian, the German possesses formidable weapons that can create problems on a good day, and in fact, Zverev had previously dashed Djokovic's dream (for the golden slam).
Even for a player with an impressive track record like Djokovic, securing another victory in Paris holds tremendous significance. It would not only propel him into the lead in the race for the most slam titles but also reclaim the top spot in the ATP rankings.
Additionally, a win would grant him the distinction of being the first player in history to triumph in each of the four slams at least three times.
The world number three had a stroke of fortune with certain outcomes and experienced moments of luck on his path to winning his 21st and 22nd slam titles at Wimbledon 2022 and the Australian Open 2023, respectively. This trend even continued during this French Open campaign.
Nevertheless, it is essential to recognize that he has earned this stroke of luck in slam events. Had it not been for his unfortunate default at the US Open in 2020 or disqualification at the Australian Open in 2022, he would already be leading the pack in the race for the most slam victories.
The 36-year-old's most formidable adversary this Sunday will be the weight of expectations. It will be fascinating to observe whether the prospect of surpassing the record for the most slam titles, and potentially becoming the first player to exceed 22, will impact his performance.
The last time he encountered pressure of a similar magnitude was in 2021 when he experienced setbacks in his pursuit of the golden slam and calendar slam. Notably, he suffered defeats to Zverev at the Tokyo Olympics and Daniil Medvedev at the US Open, which dashed his hopes of achieving those historic milestones.
Ruud's timing couldn't have been more impeccable, as he showcased his finest form of the season in the French Open semifinals against former world number two Zverev. Ruud displayed utter dominance, swiftly claiming victory in straight sets and even securing a bagel in the third set, with a resounding scoreline of 6-3, 6-4, 6-0.
Djokovic may have made more appearances (nine) in the championship match at the slam level than any other player since the beginning of the 2020 season but the Norwegian has performed as good as anyone else in recent slams. He reached the final in two of the last four slams but failed to get his hands on the silverware as he was stopped by Rafael Nadal at the French Open and Alcaraz at the US Open last year.
The 24-year-old player has faced significant challenges when it comes to competing against top-ranked opponents and performing in high-stakes matches.
Out of his previous 17 encounters against top-5 players, he has only managed to secure victory in three, indicating a considerable struggle in such matchups. These numbers are particularly disappointing considering his career-high ranking of number two.
Additionally, it is worth noting that he has been unsuccessful in all of his championship matches in tournaments beyond the ATP 250 level. These limitations suggest that he may need to further refine his skills and mental fortitude to excel against elite opponents and in big matches.
Irrespective of the outcome in the French Open final on Sunday, the world number four will undoubtedly depart Paris with a sense of satisfaction, having exceeded expectations on the clay courts.
Earlier in the year, he faced difficulties against players like Guido Andreozzi and Taro Daniel, and experienced a demoralizing defeat to Matteo Arnaldi, where he lost 15 consecutive points during a straight-set loss on clay less than two months ago.
“I didn’t come into Roland Garros thinking I was a favorite to reach the final. Not at all. I was trying to think of one match at a time and let’s see how it goes from there.
"Obviously, I (thought then that I) would love to be back in the final like last year, and I (was) always thinking about trying to defend this final spot from last year, but here we are, two weeks later.
"It’s been two very fun weeks here in Paris, just as fun as last year, and hopefully, the third time can be the charm for me," he said after securing his place in Sunday's final.
While Ruud's achievements deserve recognition, it is unlikely that Djokovic would find Ruud himself to be a source of fear.
However, the sight of Ruud's distinct Yonex striped trousers may stir some memories for Djokovic. In 2015, Djokovic endured a heartbreaking defeat in his attempt to win his first French Open title against Stan Wawrinka, who coincidentally sported Yonex striped trousers.
This particular moment became iconic as Wawrinka proudly carried both the French Open trophy and the memorable shorts to the press conference.
While the trousers themselves may hold no direct influence on the upcoming match, they might serve as a nostalgic reminder of Djokovic's past disappointment in Paris.
Head-to-head: Djokovic leads 4-0 (8-0 in sets). Ruud lacks the arsenal of weapons and the ability to intimidate players of Djokovic's caliber. Consequently, his chances of posing a significant challenge to Djokovic in this encounter are considered minimal, especially if the Serbian remains physically fit throughout the match.
