Billie Jean King Reminds Novak Djokovic Will Not Be the First Player to Win the Golden Slam

World No.1 Novak Djokovic created history in London by winning his 20th Grand Slam title at the Wimbledon Championships 2021. The Serbian legend made an incredible comeback against World No.9 Matteo Berrettini in the finals and defeated him in four sets. The final scoreline of the match 6(4)-7(7), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3.

Interestingly, this is Novak Djokovic’s sixth Wimbledon title and his third major of the year. If he accomplishes to win the US Open 2021, he’ll become the first player to complete the Calendar Slam in the 21st century. However, he won’t be the first player to do so.

In a recent tweet, tennis legend, Billie Jean King, reminded everyone that even if Djokovic wins the Golden Slam this year, it won’t be the first time when a player will accomplish it. 22-time Grand Slam champion, Stefanie Graf, has already done so in the past when she won all four majors and the Olympic Gold medal in 1988.

“Important to note only one player in history has achieved the Golden Slam (winning all 4 Grand Slams plus an Olympic Gold medal in a single year), & that is the great Stefanie Graf (1988). If Novak Djokovic wins Gold at Tokyo 2020 and US Open, he’ll become the 1st man to win it,“ tweeted Jean King.

In order to accomplish a Golden Slam, Djoker has to win a Gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics 2021 and then succeed at the US Open 2021. If he manages to do so, he’ll become the second player after Graf and the first man to achieve the feat.

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Novak Djokovic will not be the first man to win the Calendar Slam

Djokovic will surely become the first man to win a Golden Slam if he manages to win in Tokyo and New York. However, if he wins just the US Open 2021 title, he will not be the first man to complete the Calendar Grand Slam.

Before him, 11-time Grand Slam champion Rod Laver managed to accomplish the feat- not once but twice in his career. He won all the four majors in 1962 and then once again in 1969- this time in the Open Era. Interestingly, it is a feat that none of his arch-rivals, Rafael Nadal or Roger Federer have achieved in their careers so far.

Recently, after his triumph at the French Open 2021, Djokovic equalized Laver’s record of winning every major at least twice in his career. Will he be able to match him once again or even surpass him by winning the Golden Slam this year?

Also Read: “I’m the Best”: Novak Djokovic Settles the Debate After Wimbledon Win, But Leaves it to Fans to Decide ‘GOAT’