From Novak Djokovic to Ferrari to Rachel Atherton to Iga Swiatek – The best moments from the Weekend of Champions

When we here at Eurosport HQ were preparing for the Weekend of Champions we knew that it was going to be big – but we had no idea just how big.

We round up all the best moments and highlights from the weekend in case you might have missed something!

Djokovic creates history in Paris

Djokovic might have had a scare or two or against Casper Ruud but he still won in straight sets to confirm his dominance as the best player in the world.

“So many facets of his game are better,” Henman said. “He is hitting the ball harder, he doesn’t make unforced errors, he is moving better than ever.

“When you break it down shot for shot, his drop shot is better, and he is comfortable coming to the net. I think he is definitely playing better than he has ever played in his life, which is scary at the age of 36.”

Mats Wilander added: “It’s incredible that he can be injury-free, good every day, every surface. It’s just amazing.

“He is so far from being done, it seems. He is a pretty heavy favourite for Wimbledon and the US Open. I would like to know where it stops because he could get 26, 27 titles.”

Ferrari stun Toyota on remarkable Le Mans return

When it was announced that iconic Italian motorsport company Ferrari would be returning to the 24 Hours of Le Mans there weren’t many who would have predicted that they would walk away with the trophy this year.

And this was despite a couple of pretty hairy moments in the pit-lane when we all thought they might have thrown it all away.

“It was incredibly dramatic,” began Kristensen. “It was chaos at times – great battles.

“That little bit of spray in the beginning and then a little bit more spray and then some heavy rain. It created so much drama that it was very difficult to keep an eye on at times.

“It will go down in history as if not the best, then very close to [the best race].”

“I mean, why not? Why not? I would love to, it’s an incredible event. For sure, one day in my life I want to tick that box. When will it be I don’t know,” Formula 1 driver Charles Leclerc told Eurosport when asked if we would ever see him compete at the race.

Swiatek defends Roland-Garros crown

Anyone expecting another dominant display from Iga Swiatek in the women’s French Open final on Saturday was proven very wrong as Karolina Muchova, one of the stories of the year so far, put up an incredible fight, pushing the defending champion all the way in a three-set thriller.

But still it was world No. 1 Swiatek who came out on top, showing incredible mental fortitude to dig deep when she had her back right up against the wall to win her third French Open title.

“I just said she was unbelievable,” Evert began as she recounted what she told Swiatek on the podium.

“A break down twice, and the shots she came up with! She said to me, ‘Did you see my serve?’ I was just complimenting her on how she played with her back to the wall, and only champions can play like that when they are down.

“She’s just hungry. There are champions that win one Slam and that’s enough, but there are players that are really hungry – Monica Seles, Steffi Graf, myself and Martina Navratilova, and I think Iga is the same type of person.

“She hits the ball harder than a man. She can take those mid-court balls and volley them. She can still improve.”

“I just feel really proud of myself as these weeks weren’t easy, like in today’s final with a lot of up and downs, but I’m just really happy I could keep my discipline, keep my focus and go for it, and I’m really proud of myself,” Swiatek told Eurosport.

“It was a pretty emotional final. Some finals that I have played they were kind of one way, so in terms of that and handling the pressure and what’s at stake – even though you try not to think about it, it’s at the back of your mind – this was the toughest one.”

Atherton leads British Mountain Bike joy

The return of the UCI Mountain Bike World Cup brought with it incredible drama and stories, and we have to start with a sensational British double victory on Saturday.

Rachel Atherton had raced just once since 2019 ahead of the weekend, having injured her Achilles and then given birth to daughter Arna in 2021. The five-time downhill world champion admitted that she wasn’t sure she would make it through qualifying.

Then, later in the day, 18-year-old Jordan Williams, took the victory in the men’s event, on what was his debut in the elite section of the competition.

And to top it off on Sunday, the unquestioned GOAT of cross-country, Nino Schurter, created history with his 34th UCI MTB Cross-country Olympic World Cup victory, going past Julien Absalon’s record that he had equalled last year.

11th Hour Racing continue quest for The Ocean Race glory

On Sunday morning 11th Hour Racing continued their quest for victory in The Ocean Race 2022-23 with a fantastic performance to win a thrilling Leg 6, having already triumphed in Legs 4 and 5.

“It lived up to the billing, two boats within a mile of each other with 30 miles to go is insane. Everybody did a great job.”

Team Holcim-PRB pushed them close but couldn’t quite pull it off, and Team Malizia rounded off the podium in third.

Then there was a nice moment for Team Malizia crew member Rosie Kuiper, the only Dutch sailor in the race, as King Willem-Alexander and Queen Maxima of the Netherlands climbed aboard to ride into shore in The Hague.

Guardiola enters annals of footballing history

You didn’t think we had forgotten about Pep did you?

It is the culmination of seven years of work for Pep Guardiola and his players, dominating the Premier League but constantly falling short in Europe, until now.

For Guardiola he is the first manager ever to claim two European trebles in two different leagues, having done so with Barcelona in 2009. He is now level with Bob Paisley and Zinedine Zidane with three European Cup/Champions League victories and only behind Carlo Ancelotti, who has four.

“Immortal. Statues galore. They’ve earned it. This team have played a brand of football that is admired around the world.

“This has been a project and a process for a long time, many years now since Pep Guardiola came in. But these players have produced some football that has been out of this world.

“As a collective, this team will go down in history. They deserve to. A fantastic team, and they’ve dug deep when they’ve needed to.”

Inevitable Zmarzlik tightens grip on championship lead

Bewley had topped qualifying practice earlier in the day but a mechanical issue in the semi-final forced his withdrawal from the evening’s proceedings.

And that meant that Zmarzlik could power to victory, extending his lead at the top of the championship standings.

Vingegaard sends Tour rivals message

The defending Tour de France champion sent his rivals for the yellow jersey a big message with his victory ahead of the race’s start on July 1, which you can watch live on Eurosport and discovery+.

“I can be very happy with this week,” he said.

“I’m in good shape and the team rode great too. I am a bit surprised that the differences in the standings are so big, but I know that I am in good shape at the moment.

“It’s very, very big for me to win this race. It’s one of biggest races in the world, so I’m very happy to win.

“I’m going to relax for a few days now and then get ready for the Tour. I still have some work to do, but not much more.”

The Bagnaia show continues at champion’s home GP

Both Marquez brothers crashed out during the race but it was a great day for Pramac Racing who saw Jorge Martin finish second with Johann Zarco just behind him in third.

Martin is now third in the championship standings, just three points behind Bagnaia’s compatriot Marco Bezzecchi, who finished Sunday’s race down in eighth.