Serbian Novak Djokovic hesitated to call US Open no or never moment as the ace player is looking to complete winning all four grand slams in the same calendar year as he has already won French Open, Wimbledon, Australian and now will be looking to win US Open this year.
If Djokovic wins US Open this year he will join the elite list of Rod Laver and Don Budge who achieved a rare feat of winning four grand slams in the same calendar year.
Throw in that a Djokovic calendar Slam – winning the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open in the same year – would be crowned by a record-setting 21st major title and the stakes may be as high as they have ever been for a player at a single tennis event.
“I don’t want to say it’s now or never for me because I think I’m going to have more opportunities in my life to win slams. I don’t know if I’m going to be having more opportunities to win calendar slams. That’s why it’s a very unique opportunity,” Djokovic told reporters in New York.
“At the same time, I don’t need to put any additional pressure to what I already have, which is pretty big from my own self and from of course people around me,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic also talks about the pressure on big match players and he said that he thrives under pressure and will be completely up for the challenge.
“Obviously I know how big of an opportunity this is in front of me here in New York, where historically I’ve played really well over the years. But I thrive under pressure, as well. I’ve done that many times in my career,” Djokovic said.
“This is what you work for day in, day out, all your life, to put yourself in a unique position to win Grand Slams and to make history. I have this chance, and I’m going to try to use it,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic will be playing US Open without Nadal and Federer as both the ace players have pulled out of the tournament without personal reasons and the Serbian is aware about the absence of Nadal and Federer will bring more spotlight and expectation on him.
“My participation here, without Rafa and Roger participating, I feel it,” said Djokovic, who will be back in action for the first time since a disappointing showing at the Tokyo Olympics. “Regardless of Roger’s and Rafa’s absence, you still have tremendous quality tennis players that are probably right now on hot streak.”
Djokovic added, “Zverev, Medvedev, Tsitsipas – those are the three top contenders I see for the title. Everyone wants to do well at the Grand Slam. Anything can really happen.”
