Djokovic has swipe at history

NOVAK DJOKOVIC will take on the biggest match of his life tonight as if it is his last.

And if that doesn’t send a shiver down Daniil Medvedev’s spine then nothing will.

The world No.1 (above) will walk on to court at the Arthur Ashe Stadium knowing he is three sets away from history – the first calendar year men’s Grand Slam since Rod Laver in 1969 AND overtaking Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal’s haul of 20 majors.

That’s all the incentive this machine of a tennis player needs and it was the motivation required to edge past Alexander Zverev in a five-set US Open semi-final thriller on Friday night.

Pressure

Medvedev has cruised through the tournament and fancies his chances of reversing the defeat he suffered to Djokovic in the Australian Open final.

The Russian said: “I think from my side, if I can make this, I’ll probably be in the history books for not letting him do this. But I don’t really care about it.

“I think it’s more about him, that it affects him.

“For sure he’s going to feel the pressure a little bit about it. But that’s going to make him even better in tough moments.”

Djokovic agrees he is going to fight more than ever to make history.

“I know it’s on the line,” Djokovic said. “Of course, I’m aware of it.

“I’m just trying to lock into what I know works for me. I have my routines, I have my people. I isolate myself. I gather all the necessary energy for the next battle, only the next match, the next match.

“I’m going to treat this match as it’s my last one because it’s arguably the most important one of my career maybe.”