Djokovic Extends Big Titles Lead Over Nadal, Federer
Novak Djokovic extended his lead in the ‘Big Titles’ race on Sunday when he beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 to win his second Roland Garros title.
The World No. 1 now has 60 ‘Big Titles’, putting him three ahead of Rafael Nadal’s 57. A ‘Big Title’ is a trophy at a Grand Slam championship, the Nitto ATP Finals, an ATP Masters 1000 tournament or an Olympic singles gold medal. This was Djokovic’s 19th Grand Slam title, moving him to within one of his great rivals, Roger Federer and Nadal, who have 20 each.
The Roland Garros semi-final between the Serbian and Nadal could prove pivotal in the ‘Big Titles’ race. By defeating Nadal on Friday, Djokovic denied the Spaniard an opportunity to play for his 14th trophy at the clay-court major. A victory this fortnight would have pulled Nadal to within one ‘Big Title’ of Djokovic. Now, the 34-year-old has breathing room.
The 84-time tour-level titlist is the first player in the Open Era to complete the Australian Open-Roland Garros double twice, and his hopes of earning a calendar-year Grand Slam are still alive.
Djokovic has the best ‘Big Titles’ win-rate at one title won per 3.3 events played (60/198, while Nadal’s rate has slipped to one for every 3.5 tournaments played at this levels (57/197). Only two other players have converted more than once per five events: Roger Federer (4.4, 54/238) and Pete Sampras (4.9, 30/147).
Current and Former Champions’ Big Titles Won (Records Since 1990)
| Player | Grand Slams | Nitto ATP Finals | 1000s | Total^ (Avg) |
| Novak Djokovic | 19/64 | 5/13 | 36/118 | 60/198 (3.3) |
| Rafael Nadal | 20/62 | 0/10 | 36/123 | 57/197 (3.5) |
| Roger Federer | 20/80 | 6/17 | 28/138 | 54/239 (4.4) |
| Pete Sampras | 14/52 | 5/11 | 11/83 | 30/147 (4.9) |
| Andre Agassi | 8/61 | 1/13 | 17/90 | 27/164 (6.1) |
| Andy Murray | 3/50 | 1/8 | 14/100 | 20/161 (8.0) |
| Boris Becker* | 2/26 | 2/6 | 5/51 | 9/84 (9.3) |
| Thomas Muster | 1/29 | 0/4 | 8/53 | 9/87 (9.7) |
| Stefan Edberg** | 3/28 | 0/4 | 4/45 | 7/79 (11.3) |
| Gustavo Kuerten | 3/33 | 1/3 | 5/67 | 9/105 (11.6) |
| Jim Courier | 4/38 | 0/4 | 5/71 | 9/114 (12.6) |
| Marcelo Rios | 0/26 | 0/1 | 5/56 | 5/84 (16.8) |
| Marat Safin | 2/41 | 0/3 | 5/87 | 7/133 (19) |
| Michael Chang*** | 0/50 | 0/6 | 7/86 | 7/144 (20.6) |
| Andy Roddick | 1/46 | 0/6 | 5/75 | 6/129 (22.5) |
^ Includes Olympic Games gold medals and tournament participations
* Becker’s four other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
** Edberg’s three other Grand Slam titles came before 1990.
*** Chang’s one Grand Slam title came before 1990