Novak Djokovic becomes tennis' first $100 million man at French Open

Novak Djokovic

Paris (CNN)Someone who just became the first tennis player to pass the $100 million mark in prize money should be happy. No doubt Novak Djokovic was.But Djokovic's goal heading into the French Open was to win the only grand slam to elude him and he knows his task remains difficult, thanks in large part to Mother Nature.

The world No. 1 defeated Roberto Bautista Agut 3-6 6-4 6-1 7-5 on Wednesday to move into the quarterfinals at Roland Garros and he might as well have brought a sleeping bag, since -- if organizers don't tweak the pre-planned tournament schedule -- he'll be back Thursday and Friday.

That is, of course, if he keeps winning and the rain stays away.

More stoppages and organizers might be forced to push the men's final to Monday, which would especially suit Djokovic and others in the top half of the draw who were a round behind those in the bottom half entering Wednesday.

Djokovic and the hard-nosed Spaniard began their outing Tuesday, with the former appearing agitated and unfocused. Maybe he was thinking about the complicated road ahead. He did, however, lead 4-1 in the third when play was stopped.

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As it turned out, he spent about 70 minutes on court to finish off the 16th-ranked Bautista Agut. He was interviewed on court in a yellow rain coat by Fabrice Santoro, subsequently borrowing the former French player's yellow hat.

Djokovic reached a 28th consecutive quarterfinal at majors -- a run longer than Jimmy Connors managed but eight behind Roger Federer's 36. Djokovic, though, trumped the Swiss in getting to $100m.

His total is, to be precise, $100,001,974, a testament to his sustained excellence yet also the spiraling financial rewards offered to players. Ten years ago, singles champions at the French Open pocketed $1.13 million. This year, the amount soared to $2.2m.

Federer, at $98,011,727, might have topped the $100m level himself this fortnight had he not pulled out courtesy of the aftereffects of a back injury. He long passed the threshold, mind you, when taking into consideration overall earnings. The 17-time grand slam winner's net worth sits at, according to one website, $320m.

Djokovic appears set to add to his tally Thursday because he plays Tomas Berdych, and he sports a 23-2 record against the Czech.

Serena Williams padded her prize money total to $76,795,210 -- the American tops the women in that respect -- after crushing Elina Svitolina 6-1 6-1 in the fourth round but older sister Venus' bid to make a first quarterfinal at the French Open in 10 years ended following a loss to last year's semifinalist Timea Bacsinszky 6-2 6-4.

Bacsinszky next challenges Kiki Bertens, who upset Madison Keys 7-6 (7-4) 6-3.

Bertens increased her winning streak to 11 matches -- including qualifying victories -- and features in the doubles quarterfinals with Johanna Larsson. Like Bertens, Yulia Putintseva landed in a first grand slam quarterfinal by upsetting Carla Suarez Navarro 7-5 7-5 but she confronts Williams, three matches shy of achieving a record-tying 22nd grand slam, in the last eight.

Bertens, surely, benefited from having the last two days off.

Defending men's champion Stan Wawrinka and second-seed Andy Murray, in that bottom half of the men's draw, play later Wednesday.

Wawrinka faces debut grand slam quarterfinalist Albert Ramos-Vinolas and Murray battles the last Frenchman in singles, Richard Gasquet. Once considered the future of French tennis, Gasquet, who turns 30 this month, is contesting his first Roland Garros quarterfinal on his 13th visit.

Gasquet's play has lifted French spirits after injuries hampered bigger fan favorites Gael Monfils and Jo-Wilfried Tsonga.