Djokovic not taking a 20th Grand Slam for granted

NOVAK DJOKOVIC is wary of ‘red hot’ Matteo Berrettini with history on the line for both players in the Wimbledon men’s final today.

Djokovic is playing arguably the biggest match of his career. Victory would see him achieve a decade-long goal of equalling

Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal’s record of 20 grand slam titles.

It would also see him become the first player since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the first three titles of the year, keeping him on track to emulate the Australian by claiming a calendar Grand Slam.

Throw in an Olympic singles gold medal in Tokyo, for which he will also be favourite, and Djokovic, right, would become the first man to win a Golden Slam.

The world number one showed once again in his semi-final victory over Denis Shapovalov that, when it comes to winning the key points in a match, he is unparalleled.

But that is a lot of potential history for even a man as mentally strong as Djokovic to carry and big-serving Italian Berrettini, is the form player of the season on grass.

Djokovic told the Serbian press after his victory on Friday, meanwhile, that he had been struggling with a stomach problem.

‘With big weapons in serve and forehand, he can play well, which he has proven, on any surface,’ said Djokovic of Berrettini.

‘We played against each other in the quarters of Roland Garros, which was a very tight and very tough four-setter.

‘If he serves big, as he did throughout the entire tournament, it’s tough to break his serve,

‘But I believe in my return. I think my return has served me very well throughout my career.

‘Hopefully I’ll be able to get a lot of those serves back and wait for my chances.

‘I will have to also serve myself efficiently. It’s the final. It’s really anybody’s game. He’s arguably the guy who has been in the best form on grass courts this year, winning Queen’s. He’s red hot. It’s going to be a great battle.’