Djokovic targets historical golden slam
World No 1 chasing something never achieved by any male player.
Novak Djokovic has accomplished so much in his career – and, indeed, already this year.
He owns 12 grand slam singles titles, a total eclipsed by only three men in the long history of tennis. He has won four successive major tournaments, something only two other men ever did. He leads the tour in wins (44-3 record) and titles (six) in 2016.
Now, with Wimbledon starting tomorrow night, there is something more for Djokovic to pursue, something never achieved by a man and only once by a woman (Steffi Graf in 1988): a golden slam, consisting of winning all four major singles titles, plus an Olympic singles gold medal, in one season. As it is, Djokovic is halfway to a true grand slam, collecting championships on the hardcourts of the Australian Open in January, then the red clay of the French Open this month.
Among men, only Don Budge in 1938, and Rod Laver in 1962 and 1969, managed to win all four grand slam tournaments within a calendar year (none of those were Summer Games years and, anyway, tennis was not part of the Olympics then).
‘‘There’s going to be a lot of pressure on him,’’ Laver said about Djokovic, adding: ‘‘For me, I think it’s very possible he can pull it off.’’
At 29, Djokovic is at his peak, as close to unbeatable as there is, with the best return of serve in the game, an unparalleled ability to track down opponents’ apparent winners while going from defence to offence in a blink, and an improving serve.
‘‘People are starting to respect him more and more,’’ said seventime major champion John McEnroe, ‘‘[and] to see the astronomical level of consistency he’s had, incredible success week in and week out.’’
Djokovic’s most serious challenger is Andy Murray, the man he beat in the Australian Open and French Open finals this year. Murray has reached 10 grand slam finals, winning only two, but both came against Djokovic.
Murray also has reunited with Ivan Lendl, but Djokovic has the momentum and ability to take aim at a truly historic season, including the chance to win his first Olympic gold medal at the Rio de Janeiro Games in August.
Murray’s hopes of ending Djokovic’s dominance have been boosted by the most benign draw he could have hoped for.
As No 2 seed, he’s placed in the opposite side of the draw to Djokovic, but the Scot will also avoid a confrontation with Roger Federer, the seven-time Wimbledon champion.
In the first round Murray faces compatriot Liam Broady, the 234th-ranked wildcard. Djokovic also plays a Brit in the first round, James Ward, ranked 177 and after that is likely to play Adrian Mannarino from France.
In the women’s draw, defending champion Serena Williams faces Amra Sadikovic from Switzerland in the first round and could face American battler Christina McHale next.
Roland Garros winner Garbine Muguruza plays Italian Camila Giorgi in the first round and may not have a tough match until the fourth round.