Djokovic’s sights set on historic ‘golden slam’
Novak Djokovic is halfway to his quest of emulating Rod Laver as the second man in the Open era to achieve the calendar year ‘grand slam’ — but he’s now out to achieve a feat even the great Australian never had a chance to accomplish.
After winning the French Open in Paris to make it a 19-slam collection, the insatiable world No 1 is targeting the ‘golden slam’ — that’s all four major titles plus Olympic gold in the same year.
If he was to become the first man to achieve something that only Steffi Graf managed in 1988, his two coaches, Marian Vajda and Goran Ivanisevic, joked yesterday that they’d just quit the game because it sounds impossible.
Yet Djokovic, who came from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7 (6) 2-6 6-3 6-2 6-4 in the final at Roland Garros, said: ‘‘Everything is possible.
‘‘I’ve achieved some things that a lot of people thought would be not possible for me.
‘‘Everything is possible — and I did put myself in a good position to go for the golden slam.’’
Laver never had the opportunity to shoot for all five as tennis wasn’t part of the Games when he ruled, but still no man in the Open era has matched his 1969 calendar slam.
The ‘Rocket’ tweeted congratulations to Djokovic on his latest success after the Serb joined him and fellow Aussie great Roy Emerson as the only men in history to have won two titles or more at each grand slam.
Djokovic recalled that when he was last in a position to go to Wimbledon, holding the first two slams of the year, the Australian and French Opens, in 2016, he lost in the third round to Sam Querrey.
But coach Vajda thinks this could be the year.
‘‘I think it is possible, much more possible ... He’s healthy right now, he’s in great shape,’’ Vajda said.
‘‘I think he has ability to win the grand slam for this year . . . It’s still far away from us, we have to still focus on the next one — but overall he’s set up for this year.’’
Djokovic is the winner of the past two Wimbledon titles, with last year’s event cancelled due to Covid-19.
‘‘I will enjoy this win and then think about Wimbledon in a few days’ time,’’ he said.
When Tsitsipas’ first grand slam final had ended, he sank into his changeover chair and buried his head in a towel.
Djokovic has that effect on opponents.
Tsitsipas built a big lead and appeared on his way to an upset victory, but Djokovic mounted an improbable comeback to win his 19th major title.
‘‘What I learned today is that no matter what, in order for the match to be finished, you have to win three sets and not two,’’ Tsitsipas said. ‘‘Two sets doesn’t really mean anything.’’
Not against Djokovic, who overcame a two-set deficit for the second time in the tournament and the sixth time in his career. He took a bathroom break following the second set and dominated thereafter, never facing a break point in the final three sets.