Looking through the tennis record books, you’ll come across the names of Novak Djokovic and Steffi Graf frequently.
No one has been the world No. 1 player for more weeks than Djokovic, and no one has been the top player for longer than Graf. Each has also accomplished a good number of other individual goals.
Graf is the only player in history to have accomplished the Calendar Golden Slam, having done so in 1988, while Djokovic is the first person to have won 24 Grand Slam singles titles and may yet break that record.
Graf’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles puts him just ahead of the German’s 22 majors, but the record held by the all-time great Graf is one that no one has ever been able to match.
However, Djokovic can break the record at the French Open; will he succeed in winning the tournament and repeating one of tennis’ greatest stories?
What’s contested
Djokovic won his third French Open championship and his 23rd Grand Slam singles title overall after defeating Casper Ruud in last year’s Roland Garros final.
Rafael Nadal is the only other man in history to have won multiple titles at all four events, making him the only person in history to have won every major at least three times.
With three Grand Slam victories under his belt, Djokovic is now tied with fellow icon Serena Williams. The American has also won three French Open titles, which makes it the weakest major for both of them.
They are all behind Graf, the only player in history (male or female) to have won every major at least four times. Graf is a 22-time major winner.
Graf won seven Wimbledons, six French Opens, five US Opens, and her fourth and last Australian Open title in 1994.