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Novak Djokovic of Serbia greets his opponent at the end of the Men’s Singles Final against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day fourteen of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia greets his opponent at the end of the Men’s Singles Final against Dominic Thiem of Austria on day fourteen of the 2020 Australian Open at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by James D. Morgan/Getty Images)
Serbian World No.1 Novak Djokovic is inarguably having one of the best seasons of his career so far. Presently, he is contesting at the Tokyo Olympics 2020 in hopes of a gold medal to continue his ‘Golden Slam’ quest. However, for this reason, he had to make some unfortunate changes in his US Open 2021 preparation schedule.
Since the clay-court season, Djokovic is on a rigorous schedule on the ATP Tour. Thus, with an idea to recover well before New York, the Serbian has cut short Rogers Cup from his calendar this year.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia reacts during his quarter finals match against Lorenzo Sonego of Italy on day seven of the Erste Bank Open tennis tournament at Wiener Stadthalle in Vienna, Austria. (Photo by Thomas Kronsteiner/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic cancels ATP 1000 Toronto ahead of US Open 2021
Earlier, Tennis Canada announced that the 20-time Grand Slam champion from Serbia would not play in Toronto this year. Additionally, Karl Hale, the tournament director of the National Bank Open, explained Djokovic‘s decision.
“It would have been fantastic to have hosted Novak,” Hale said. “However, following a great run to his record-equaling 20th Grand Slam title at Wimbledon and his participation at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, we understand his decision. We wish him all the very best for the rest of the season.”
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Tennis – Wimbledon – All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club, London, Britain – July 11, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic kisses the trophy as he celebrates after winning his final match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini Pool via REUTERS/Ben Solomon
Without a doubt, the absence of the five-time champion of the Rogers Cup would put a dent in the event. Consequently, Russian World No.2 Daniil Medvedev would take Djokovic’s place as the top seed in ATP 1000 Toronto.
According to Rogers Cup’s previous entry list, 20-time Grand Slam champions Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal are still among the players’ field.
A new chapter begins. 📖
Rogers Cup is now the National Bank Open. pic.twitter.com/iY0KxZNnT0— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) February 2, 2021
Conversely, Hale revealed that the reigning US Open champion Dominic Thiem, three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka, and Belgium’s David Goffin have also withdrawn due to injury woes.
The tournament is set to run between August 9 and August 15, 2021.
Read More: Novak Djokovic Joins Training Session With the Belgian Gymnastics Team
Djokovic’s quest for Golden Slam in 2021
To achieve the Golden Slam, a tennis player must win all four Grand Slam tournaments of the year plus an Olympic gold medal. So far, Djokovic has won the first three, with gold in Tokyo Olympics and triumph in the US Open remaining.
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Tokyo 2020 Olympics – Tennis Training – Ariake Tennis Park, Tokyo, Japan – July 22, 2021 Novak Djokovic of Serbia during training. REUTERS/Mike Segar
If he completes the achievement, Djokovic will become the first male tennis player to do so. Also, he would be second to German legend Steffi Graf who fulfilled the ultimate tennis feat in 1988.
Do you think Djokovic will complete the “Golden Slam’ run?
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Watch this story: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Serena Williams and Others Emotional Moments at Olympic Games
