NOVAK DJOKOVIC captured a first French Open at the 12th time of asking Sunday, becoming just the third man in history to hold all four Grand Slam titles at the same time.

    The world number one downed Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 to claim a 12th career major and join Don Budge in 1938 and Rod Laver, in 1962 and 1969, as the only players to simultaneously possess the French Open, Australian Open, U.S. Open and Wimbledon trophies.

    Djokovic, 29, also put himself halfway to the calendar Grand Slam, last achieved by Laver 47 years ago.

    But he did it the hard way as the final reached a tense conclusion, being broken in the eighth game of the fourth set as he served for the title and then squandering two championship points in the 10th before sealing victory when Murray netted a backhand.

    “When I broke him the second time and I got to 5-2 in the fourth, I just started laughing. I had that kind of emotion. I didn’t feel too much pressure, honestly. Maybe I took things a bit too lightly and just played a loose game at 5-2,” said Djokovic, one of only eight men to complete the career Grand Slam.

    “In the last point I don’t even remember what happened. It was really one of those things — moments where you just try to be there. It’s like my spirit has left my body and I was just observing my body fight the last three, four exchanges going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake, which happened.”

    Djokovic, who will now target the first calendar Grand Slam since Laver 47 years ago, was overjoyed with his Paris breakthrough after losing his three previous finals.

    “It’s a very special moment, the biggest of my career. I felt today something that I never felt before at Roland Garros, I felt the love of the crowd.”

    Djokovic imitated former three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten by drawing a giant heart in the Paris clay before collapsing inside it. “I drew the heart on the court, like Guga who gave me permission to do. My heart will always be with you on this court.”(SD-Agencies)