The Golden Slam quest for Serbian World No. 1 Novak Djokovic ended in Tokyo Olympics 2020 semifinals against German Alexander Zverev. However, the prospect of winning the 2021 Calendar Grand Slam is very much alive for him. According to Simona Halep’s coach Darren Cahill, it would be a monumental achievement in tennis and also help cover the sting of his Olympics loss.
To complete the Grand Slam 2021 feat, Djokovic would need to win the US Open this year. But would the tennis world even then remember his lost chance at the Golden Slam in the Olympics? The Australian coach does not think so.
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Darren Cahill on Novak Djokovic and his Calendar Grand Slam
Notably, only one male tennis player has ever completed the Calendar Slam feat, the Australian legend Rod Laver in 1969. Thus, Novak Djokovic has an opportunity to achieve an incredible record in tennis history.
Reminder: Novak Djokovic will enter the US Open attempting to become the first man to win the Grand Slam since 1969.
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) July 30, 2021
If Novak wins the Grand Slam, nobody will say BUT….. nobody who knows anything about tennis. He’s attempting to do something that no male has done since the great Rod Laver in 1969. It would be a monumental achievement. All focus to turn NY for Nole.
— Darren Cahill (@darren_cahill) July 30, 2021
“If Novak wins the Grand Slam, nobody will say BUT….. nobody who knows anything about tennis. He’s attempting to do something that no male has done since the great Rod Laver in 1969. It would be a monumental achievement. All focus to turn NY for Nole,” Cahill said.
Nevertheless, every victory and loss has a subconscious effect on the athlete. And since Djokovic deeply desired to win his country a gold medal, it would not be an easy loss to overcome.
Yet, knowing the 20-time Grand Slam champion, he has an impeccable system of channeling all negative energies into positive outcomes on the court. Hence, the Tokyo Olympics loss might make him push with even more ferocity for the US Open 2021.
Also Read: “He Can Beat Djokovic”: Coach Backs Rafael Nadal to Stop Novak Djokovic at US Open 2021
Who can stop Djokovic at the US Open 2021?
Most significantly, to achieve a feat that no man has done in the last half-century would be the driving force for Djokovic. Besides that, all his competitors would now be motivated more than ever to stop him.
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Above all, the greatest rival of his professional career, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, would be his biggest threat in New York.
To sum up, Djokovic might have lost out on the gold but can secure a bronze medal. All in all, the hard court season coming ahead has gotten all the more exciting.
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Will Djokovic be able to win The Grand Slam 2021 at the US Open this year?
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