Novak Djokovic has won the other three Grand Slams of 2021 – can he complete the set at the US Open?
| US Open 2021 |
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| Dates: 30 August-12 September Venue: Flushing Meadows, New York |
When Novak Djokovic won the 2016 French Open, and became the first man since Rod Laver to hold all four Grand Slams simultaneously, he danced to the Gypsy Kings near the Arc de Triomphe.
His attempt to win all four Grand Slams in the same year was ended by Sam Querrey at Wimbledon a few weeks later.
Five years on, the world number one has another chance. An even better chance, having already won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon in 2021.
If the 34-year-old Serb can add the US Open, which starts in New York on Monday, he will be the first man since Laver in 1969 to complete a clean sweep of the Grand Slam singles titles.
It would be the greatest achievement of his career, and arguably the greatest achievement in the history of men’s tennis.
“I can’t wait. Honestly, I’m very motivated to play my best tennis,” Djokovic said, before Tuesday’s first-round match with Danish qualifier Holger Rune.
“I have to hit one ball at a time, as they say – have a guiding star. I don’t need to put any additional pressure to what I already have, which is pretty big from my own self and from people around me.
“But I thrive under pressure, as well. I’ve done that many times in my career. I’m a big tennis fan, fan of history. I have this chance, and I’m going to try to use it.”
