I'll try to do it: Novak Djokovic on calendar-year Grand Slam

The 19-time Grand Slam champion is enjoying a memorable season, winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros titles so far.

Novak Djokovic could tie with Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's tally of Grand Slam titles if he wins Wimbledon for the sixth time. (Image credit: Roland Garros Twitter)
By Karthik Raman | Jun 26, 2021 | 3 Min Read follow icon Follow Us

Five-time Wimbledon champion Novak Djokovic said that he will “try to” achieve the calendar-year Grand Slam, but conceded that it’s still a “long way” to go. The 19-time Grand Slam champion is enjoying a memorable season, winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros titles till now. Next up is Wimbledon for the Serbian superstar. Speaking about a possible calendar-year Grand Slam, Djokovic said, “I gave myself a good opportunity to do that, obviously winning the Australian Open and Roland Garros,” Djokovic said in Mallorca.

With just days left before the start of the Wimbledon, the Serbian is hopeful of clinching the grass-court Grand Slam as well. “But look, it’s still a very long way to get to that super achievement. I will try to do it, without a doubt,” he added. “I’m going to play Wimbledon now and hopefully I can get my hands on the Wimbledon trophy again.”

The grass-court major was not held in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, he has won there most recently in 2018 and 2019. Djokovic will be now looking to win his third successive title in London. No man has won three consecutive Wimbledon titles since Roger Federer won five in a row from 2003 through 2007.

“Hopefully I can keep that run going. I’m feeling good on grass. I think I’ve improved a lot with my game on grass over the years,” Djokovic added. “Every Grand Slam is probably like a Mount Everest to climb for a tennis player. It’s a two-week long event, 128 players, best-of-five. There are so many things happening on and off the court, so it’s a lot of pressure. I know how to deal with that, so I’m going to take one tournament at a time and then we’ll see.”

Novak Djokovic: I will definitely go for Wimbledon title

Recently, Djokovic defeated Rafael Nadal en route to lifting his second French Open title. As a result, the Serbian now has 19 Grand Slam titles. He is just one behind Federer and Rafael Nadal’s tally on the all-time list of Grand Slam winners. A victory in Wimbledon for Djokovic will mean the “Big Three” will be on the same number of Grand Slam wins.

“I will definitely go for the title at Wimbledon, the US Open and any other tournament and any other Slam that I play. I always have the highest ambition and expectations of myself, but I try to be in the present moment,” Djokovic said. “I know that if I do everything in the right way, if I put myself in the right state of mind – my body and soul so to say – I’m able to win against anybody on any surface.”

His recent Grand Slam victory at clay was not an easy ride by any stretch of the imagination. After defeating the King of Clay in the semifinals he rallied from two sets down to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final. The World No. 1 called it an “unforgettable experience”. “It was an unforgettable experience, probably one of the most difficult tournaments I ever had, especially the second week,” Djokovic said of his Roland Garros run.

“I felt for two or three days after that quite spent. But I’m pretty happy with the way I’m feeling on the grass. It means that I’m recovering pretty quickly. But what was achieved and experienced in Paris was truly remarkable. I’m so blessed to [have gone] through that experience.”





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