Novak Djokovic Will Win the Calendar Slam
By Leo Koukakis
The last decade will go down as the golden ERA in tennis, and Novak Djokovic has been a big part of it.
As fans we have been lucky enough to watch the greatness of Federer, Nadal cementing his place as the greatest clay court player ever, a Brit finally winning Wimbledon, and now Novak Djokovic. Novak has been at the top of the game for a couple of years now, but it feels like he is at the height of his powers right now. He started the year by winning the season’s first grand
He started the year by winning the season’s first grand slam and tying Rod Laver for most Australian Open titles. There is a chance that Novak will join Rod Laver atop another historical list by season’s end. Laver is the only man in the Open Era to have won all four majors in the same season.
The French Open has been the title that has alluded Novak his entire career. Rafael Nadal is without a doubt the greatest clay court player ever, but his form over the last few seasons has many believing that he can be beaten at the French. Novak was able to eliminate Rafa from last season’s tournament before losing in the final to Stan Wawrinka. Novak is currently listed as a (-125) favorite to capture finally his first French Open title.
Novak is now listed as a (-125) favorite to capture finally his first French Open title. Of course, there will be a number of great players standing in his way, but I think Novak will come in more focused than ever, and finally complete his Career Grand Slam.
His confidence would be sky high heading into Wimbledon, but this will probably be his trickiest major. Nole has won this title 3 times, but the grass will be Murray and Federer’s best chance to upend the defending champ. Murray has had plenty of success at the Championships, he will have the home crowd at his back, and have confidence after beating Novak in the final of this tournament back in 2012.
Federer has always loved the grass. He has captured this title 6 times, and played a classic final against Novak last year. Novak will need to manage his emotions heading into the tournament, but his mental strength has been one of his best assets. I think he will be tested throughout the tournament, but his consistently great play will allow him to capture his 4th Wimbledon trophy.
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The final Slam of the year should be the one where Novak feels comfortable. Novak loves the hard courts, and the crowd will be cheering for history to be made. Assuming he captures the first three titles of the season, all of the pressure will be on Novak, much like it was on Serena last season, but he loves the big moments.
I give some outsiders like Kei Nishikori and John Isner a slight chance against Novak, but it is going to take something extraordinary to beat Novak in 3 out of 5 sets. Djokovic has only managed to win 2 US Open titles, but his dominance on hard courts can’t be ignored. He will be the favorite, with all the pressure on his shoulders, but Novak is used to it by now. I expect the fans to witness something historic on September 11th when Novak completes the Calender Slam.
Djokovic has only managed to win 2 US Open titles, but his dominance on hard courts can’t be ignored. He will be the favorite, with all the pressure on his shoulders, but Novak is used to it by now. I expect the fans to witness something historic on September 11th when Novak completes the Calender Slam.
Obviously, there is a reason the Calendar Slam has only been accomplished once in the Open Era, but if anyone ever had a chance it’s Novak this season. To accomplish such a feet he will need to stay healthy, hungry, and focused. Novak is one of the most versatile players we’ve seen in a while.
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His defensive abilities allow him to be consistently great, regardless of surface, and even on an off day will force his opponent to take the match from him. It will be fascinating to see if Novak can put everything together, and cement his place among the greatest players of all time by winning the calendar slam.