Djokovic Joins Nadal & Federer in 100-Win Club at Roland Garros

The Serbian becomes only the third man in history to reach 100 match wins at a single Grand Slam, solidifying his legacy on Parisian clay

HH News Desk 3 weeks agoLast Updated: June 7, 2025

10 3 minutes read

Paris: On a humid evening in the heart of Paris, Novak Djokovic added another historic milestone to his staggering resume — one that, oddly enough, he had never seemed in a rush to reach. With a tidy, no-fuss win over Cameron Norrie — 6-2, 6-3, 6-2 — in the fourth round of Roland Garros 2025, Djokovic became just the third player in history to notch 100 match wins at a single Grand Slam.

It’s a number drenched in symbolism. In a tournament long ruled by Rafael Nadal, and where Roger Federer once dazzled but never quite conquered, Djokovic has now elbowed his way into the centurion’s lounge — one built on grit, reinvention, and in his case, late-career dominance.

An Inevitable Century, Yet Still Surreal

What made it special wasn’t the opponent — Norrie, for all his effort, never looked like threatening the 24-time Grand Slam champion. It wasn’t even the scoreline, though the match lasted just over two hours, with Djokovic not facing a single break point. What made it matter was what it signified.

Roland Garros was once the mountain Djokovic couldn’t summit. For years, the red clay tested his patience and exposed his vulnerabilities. But now, with three French Open titles under his belt and a fourth possibly looming, he’s gone from challenger to conqueror.

“I know 100 sounds good,” Djokovic said after the match, speaking in French to the crowd. “But 101 might be even better.”

Numbers That Matter — And Some That Don’t

Let’s take stock. Djokovic now owns 100 wins at Roland Garros, 99 at the Australian Open, and sits well above 80 at both Wimbledon and the US Open. But this win also nudges him ahead of Federer in one more stat: most quarter-final appearances at a single Slam. Djokovic now has 19 French Open quarter-finals, surpassing Federer’s 18 at Wimbledon.

He faces Alexander Zverev next, a familiar opponent and one of the few active players capable of pushing him to five sets. But if Zverev was watching Monday’s match, there wasn’t much to cheer about — Djokovic looked composed, crisp, and in total control. Whatever rust he carried from a lacklustre start to the season seems to have been polished away in Paris.

A Milestone Framed by Rivalries

Make no mistake, this is not just about Djokovic. It’s about an era. Federer had Wimbledon. Nadal owned Paris. Djokovic — well, he did a bit of everything. And now, having reached the 100-win club at Roland Garros, he’s arguably matched their most iconic numbers on their home turfs.

Nadal still leads the pack here with 112 French Open wins, but that number may stay frozen. Federer’s 105 at Wimbledon is equally untouchable now. Djokovic? He’s still running. And unlike the other two, his legs don’t seem to be giving out yet.

2025: A Curious Season Until Now

Until Roland Garros, this hadn’t been a typical Djokovic year. No titles. A few unexpected early exits. Critics, perhaps for the umpteenth time, wondered aloud if the end was nigh. He entered Paris without the usual aura — but maybe with a chip on his shoulder, which, historically, has made him even more dangerous.

And as the French crowd saw on Monday, he’s not here to take part. He’s here to win.

“I’ve been lucky to have a long career, but achievements like this still mean a lot,” Djokovic admitted. He paused. “They remind me that I’m still chasing something.”

For Fans, a Touch of Nostalgia

To Indian fans — many of whom woke up early or stayed up late just to catch this match — Djokovic’s century at Roland Garros hits different. It brings back memories of the 2000s, of late-night showdowns, of Federer-Nadal-Djokovic arguments in college hostels. Now, two of those giants are gone. Only Djokovic remains, still swinging, still collecting wins like postage stamps.

And while this might feel like the tail end of a remarkable era, there’s a sense that Djokovic is not ready to leave the stage just yet. Not while records are still out there. Not while the Parisian crowd is still chanting his name.

What’s Next: Zverev Awaits, and Possibly More

With Zverev up next, Djokovic won’t be looking too far ahead — not that he ever does. But if he gets through that, a semi-final spot beckons, and possibly a clash with one of the newer contenders trying to break the old guard’s hold on Grand Slam trophies.

Yet, it’s hard to ignore the bigger picture. At 38, Djokovic is now not only chasing history — he’s setting it, again and again.

And if Paris gives him another trophy this year, it might just be the most poetic one of all. Not because it proves anything new. But because it shows that greatness, real greatness, has no finish line.

Written by Ankit T. | Published on 2 June 2025 | Source: ATP Tour

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