Tennis
Roland Garros, Paris

Calendar Slam on Novak's mind

Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic poses with the French Open trophy -- which he won by beating Andy Murray in the final on Sunday -- near a Paris landmark yesterday. Photo: AFP

Having sealed his place as one of the greatest players of all time, Novak Djokovic was on Monday backed to keep breaking Grand Slam records with little seemingly standing in his way.

The 29-year-old captured his first French Open on Sunday to become only the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam.

More impressively, he is just the third man to hold all four majors at the same time and the first since Rod Laver back in 1969.

That is something even his eternal rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have failed to achieve.

"He will be the big favourite again at Wimbledon and at the tournament after that and all of those after that one," predicted three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten who was on hand Sunday to witness Djokovic end a three-final losing streak at Roland Garros finals with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over Andy Murray.

That was Djokovic's 12th Grand Slam title to add to his six at the Australian Open, three at Wimbledon and two at the US Open.

He also became the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to clinch the Australian and French Opens back-to-back and therefore put himself in a position to grab a calendar Grand Slam which has only been achieved three times -- by Don Budge in 1938 and Laver in 1962 and 1969."Well, I don't want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life," said the Serb.

"I'm trying to grasp and I'm trying to cherish, obviously, these moments right now. Whether or not I can reach a calendar slam, that's still a possibility." 

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Roland Garros, Paris

Calendar Slam on Novak's mind

Serbia's world number one Novak Djokovic poses with the French Open trophy -- which he won by beating Andy Murray in the final on Sunday -- near a Paris landmark yesterday. Photo: AFP

Having sealed his place as one of the greatest players of all time, Novak Djokovic was on Monday backed to keep breaking Grand Slam records with little seemingly standing in his way.

The 29-year-old captured his first French Open on Sunday to become only the eighth man to complete a career Grand Slam.

More impressively, he is just the third man to hold all four majors at the same time and the first since Rod Laver back in 1969.

That is something even his eternal rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal have failed to achieve.

"He will be the big favourite again at Wimbledon and at the tournament after that and all of those after that one," predicted three-time French Open champion Gustavo Kuerten who was on hand Sunday to witness Djokovic end a three-final losing streak at Roland Garros finals with a 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 win over Andy Murray.

That was Djokovic's 12th Grand Slam title to add to his six at the Australian Open, three at Wimbledon and two at the US Open.

He also became the first man since Jim Courier in 1992 to clinch the Australian and French Opens back-to-back and therefore put himself in a position to grab a calendar Grand Slam which has only been achieved three times -- by Don Budge in 1938 and Laver in 1962 and 1969."Well, I don't want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life," said the Serb.

"I'm trying to grasp and I'm trying to cherish, obviously, these moments right now. Whether or not I can reach a calendar slam, that's still a possibility." 

Comments

আমরা রাজনৈতিক দল, ভোটের কথাই তো বলব: তারেক রহমান

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