Novak Djokovic, who turned 36 just three weeks ago, shows no sign of slowing down as the ageless Serbian cemented his status as one of the finest tennis players of all time after overcoming a slow start to claim a men's record 23rd Grand Slam title with a well-deserved win over Casper Ruud in the French Open final.

Djokovic drew a star-studded set of spectators to his blockbuster showdown with the 24-year-old Norwegian – from World Cup Golden Boot award winner Kylian Mbappe and Swedish legend Zlatan Ibrahimovic to NFL icon Tom Brady and British actor Hugh Grant – but he struggled to find his best form early on.  

Nevertheless, once Djokovic shook off his nerves, he electrified the Roland-Garros with a resilient performance that laid the foundation for a 7-6 (1), 6-3, 7-5 victory.  It is Djokovic's third French Open title, meaning he has become the first male player to win all four majors at least three times.

The result means Djokovic is now the men's sole grand slam record holder, breaking his tie of 22 with Rafael Nadal. It moves Djokovic alongside Serena Williams in terms of Grand Slam titles, with only Margaret Court standing in front of him with 24 trophies.

Djokovic is also the oldest French Open champion and the fourth-oldest men's Singles Grand Slam winner, only younger than Ken Rosewall (1971 and 1972 Australian Open) and Roger Federer (2018 Australian Open).

"It's an incredible feeling to win 23. I'm beyond grateful and blessed to be standing here with so many incredible achievements," said Djokovic, who will return to world number one for a record-extending 388th week.

"It's no coincidence that my 23rd Grand Slam title has come here because it has been the hardest one for me to win in my career. I am very emotional right now and I am very, very proud," he added. "I feel I had the power to create my own destiny. I want to say to every young person if you want a better future, you can create it."

While Djokovic is statistically the most successful male tennis player in history, he insists he will not get carried away. 

"I don't want to say that I am the greatest, because I feel, I've said it before, it's disrespectful towards all the great champions in different eras of our sport that was played in a completely different way than it is played today," observed Djokovic. 

"So I feel like each great champion of his own generation has left a huge mark, a legacy, and paved the way for us to be able to play this sport in such a great stage worldwide."

After Djokovic clinched the historic title, Spanish top seed Carlos Alcaraz, who the Serbian has replaced as world number one, said on Twitter, "Many congrats for the trophy and for the new record!" 

Nadal also paid tribute to his long-time rival. "Many congratulations on this amazing achievement, 23 is a number that just a few years back was impossible to think about and you made it," tweeted the Spaniard, who who missed this year's French Open due to injury.

The sentiment was echoed by Ruud, who has lost all three of his major finals. The fourth seed addressed Djokovic in an emotional speech, noting, "It is another day where you rewrite tennis history. It is tough to explain how great you are and what an inspiration you are."

During a press briefing later in the day, Ruud declared Djokovic is unstoppable even as the veteran moves towards the autumn of his career. 

"He can win on any surface, anywhere," he marveled. "He will be up for the challenge. I'm sure he will aim for even more. He's not done yet."