Novak Djokovic has the chance to write yet another page of history in this edition of the US Open. The number 1 in the world pursues the dream of realizing the Calendar Grand Slam, a feat that was only successful once in the Open Era (in Rod Laver back in 1969).
Having won the top three majors of the season, the Serbian phenomenon is also the big favorite in New York, where he has triumphed three times during his career. The 34-years-old from Belgrade made it through the first three rounds at Flushing Meadows with relative ease, encountering some difficulties only at the start of the match against Kei Nishikori.
After losing the first partial to the tiebreak, Nole has raised the revs of his engine by archiving the practice without spending too much energy. In case of triumph in the Big Apple, Djokovic would raise himself to 21 Slam, thus bypassing the eternal rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal The Swiss and the Spaniard are both absent due to injury and will not return to the court before 2022.
Speaking on the Tennis Channel in recent days, former American champion Jim Courier explained that all tennis fans should cheer for Novak in these two weeks in New York. Courier said: “I would like to express a concept on which many will disagree. I’m sorry for the fans of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, but everyone should encourage Novak Djokovic and hope that he can complete the Grand Slam.
It would be great for sport in general. A feat of this magnitude would not only have repercussions on his career, but the resonance would be immense even outside of tennis.” The 20-time Grand Slam champion has always known he could achieve something big: “When I won four Majors in a row between 2015 and 2016, I realized that I would have the chance to do the Grand Slam one day. I improved on all surfaces and the experience helped me manage the various moments. I will do everything possible to succeed.”
