Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 19, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his group stage match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
Reuters
Tennis – ATP Finals – Pala Alpitour, Turin, Italy – November 19, 2021 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts during his group stage match against Britain’s Cameron Norrie REUTERS/Guglielmo Mangiapane
It was the US Open last year. Novak Djokovic was on his way to winning his fourth Grand Slam title that year, thereby completing a Calendar Year Grand Slam. It was a rare feat that has eluded many great players like Serena Williams, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. The Serb was up against Daniil Medvedev in the summit clash. However, Djokovic suffered a heart-breaking defeat in the finals as he lost in straight sets.
Watch What’s Trending Now!
It was a case of so near, yet so far for the former World Number 1. In what was a taxing season for him, he couldn’t finish the season on a high. Recently, former Australian Open finalist, Fernando Gonzalez, talked about Djokovic coming so near to achieving the Calendar Grand Slam.
Fernando Gonzalez on cheering for Novak Djokovic at the US Open
During an interview, the former World Number 5 opened up about wanting to see Djokovic winning the Calendar Grand Slam. He said, “Novak Djokovic came very close to making the ‘Calendar Grand Slam’ last year, we all cheered for him. It would have been a formidable undertaking.”
USA Today via Reuters
Sep 12, 2021; Flushing, NY, USA; Novak Djokovic of Serbia speaks to the crowd during the trophy presentation ceremony after his match against Daniil Medvedev of Russia (not pictured) in the men’s singles final on day fourteen of the 2021 U.S. Open tennis tournament at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Danielle Parhizkaran-USA TODAY Sports
Further, he added, “The pressure was enormous and it gave him the bill in the US Open final. I was very sorry for him, because I was hoping to see someone accomplish such a feat.”
Nonetheless, it was a season to remember for Djokovic, having commanding victories at the Australian Open, the French Open, and the Wimbledon Championships.
Ongoing petition to allow Djokovic to play at the US Open
Last week, there was a petition initiated by the fans to allow Djokovic’s participation at the US Open. Djokovic, as a result of his vaccination status, runs the risk of missing the US Open. The petition appealed to the United States government and the USTA to work in tandem for this.
WATCH THIS STORY: Novak Djokovic and Maria Sharapova moments that define their friendship
The Serb is a three-time champion at the US Open. If Djokovic misses the US Open, he’ll face a major blow to his ATP rankings.
Written by
Edited by
Tony Thomas