Tennis Legend Distinguishes Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams’s Calendar Slam Attempt at US Open

Serbian World No.1 Novak Djokovic is one match away from winning the Calendar Slam at US Open 2021. In other words, he is at arm’s length to become the first man since 1969 to win all four major tournaments in a year. Naturally, the pressure behind this match will be immeasurable.

So, the question is: will he go through with it or not?

Interestingly, Lindsay Davenport made an interesting comparison between Djokovic and Serena Williams’ 2015 season. Similar to the Serb, Serena had entered the US Open in 2015, looking for the Calendar Slam. She had even reached the semifinals.

Watch this story: Top Us Open Finals Featuring Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Others

However, the mountain-heavy pressure had ended her dream run against Roberto Vinci.

Will the same happen to Djokovic at US Open 2021?

Davenport on the difference between Novak Djokovic and Serena Williams’ approach for the Grand Slam

Firstly, the three-time Grand Slam champion Lindsay Davenport admitted that “no one can even possibly fathom” the pressure on Djokovic. She then remembered how pressure ended Serena‘s 2015 US Open campaign.

“Serena, in 2015, came the closest, and we thought it was a foregone conclusion when you went into the semifinals to play Roberto Vinci, to play Fabio Planetta. But it was the pressure that got to her,” Davenport explained.

Additionally, Bryan Brothers and Gigi Fernandez, who were going for Career Slam in doubles then, had predicted against Serena. The former World No.1 then revealed why they got the prediction right.

“Because the pressure was so overwhelming,” Davenport said. “The thought of accomplishing something so big in our sport truly is too much to overcome.”

Furthermore, the retired American acclaimed how Djokovic has handled the pressure. “How much credit can we give Novak? Because for six matches, he’s looked just fine. He hasn’t cracked under pressure; he’s been so focused. And I loved this quote the other night after beating Zverev.”

Conclusively, Davenport stated that Djokovic is going after history with all his might. And the pressure is not affecting his game or mindset. “He knows what he’s playing for, and it is not hindering him,” she ended.

Who is Djokovic playing in the US Open 2021 final?

On Sunday evening, the top seed Djokovic will take on the second seed Daniil Medvedev for his 21st Grand Slam title. Let’s see if the tennis world will witness history or another upset as in 2015.

Read More: How Can Daniil Medvedev Defeat Novak Djokovic at the US Open 2021 Finals?