Pretenders out to spoil the Djokovic Grand Slam
Tennis’ most successful trio might be disbanded for the
upcoming US Open in New York, but there is a group of up-and-comer’s that are
hoping to spoil the party for calendar-year slam hopeful Novak Djokovic.
The Serbian star is chasing his first ever calendar-slam after he won the Australian Open, the French Open and Wimbledon earlier in the year, however it hasn’t been complete plain-sailing after the 34-year-old missed out on a medal at the Olympic Games in Tokyo.
Djokovic is in line to become the first male since 1969 to win all four grand slam titles in the same year and he will be without his big rivals Rafa Nadal and Roger Federer which makes his path to that elusive slam slightly easier.
"It's really fortunate for me and incredible that it's all coming together in the same year," Djokovic said via AFP. "That's something that I didn't expect but I always dream of achieving the biggest things in sport."
There will still be a significant resistance for Djokovic at Flushing Meadow which will include current Olympic champion Alexander Zverev, world number two Daniil Medvedev, Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas and Italian up-and-comer Matteo Berrettini.
Only two players in the men’s game have completed the calendar-slam but Djokovic’s long-time rival Rafa Nadal doesn’t see why he can’t achieve it.
"What he achieved this year is something amazing," Nadal said. "I definitely believe that he can do it, without a doubt.
"Well, he already won three. So when you win three, you can win four, without a doubt, no? He did 75% of the way. He going to be playing on hard court, probably his best surface, so why not?"
The next generation will be nipping at Djokovic’s heels throughout the tournament but for Medvedev, he believes there is only one favourite going into the tournament next week.
"Definitely Novak is going to be the highest contender," Medvedev said. "He won already 20. He has experience. So he's the man under pressure, but I think he likes it.
"I'm going to try to do my best. If I manage to keep the level I'm playing at right now, I have good chances to go far. I just want to play good."
For the Olympic champion Zverev, this year is not over and he wants to continue that form that saw him win gold in Tokyo.
"I'm extremely hungry. I'm not satisfied yet," Zverev said. "I'm looking forward to ... proving I'm still one of the best players."
