Novak Djokovic eyes calendar slam after French Open title

BySaketh RVK, SportsCafe Editor

06/06/2016

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Newly-crowned 2016 French Open champion Novak Djokovic believes that completing a calendar grand slam this season is ‘achievable’. The World No.1 became only the third man in history and the first since 1969 to hold all four majors at the same time on Sunday by winning at the Roland Garros.

The 29-year old on Sunday joined Don Budge and Rod Laver as the only players to possess the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US open simultaneously after he beat Andy Murray 3-6, 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 at Paris. After the triumph, the World No.1 opened up about his next targets and put the calendar grand slam as an ‘achievable’ target.

"Well, I don't want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life. You know, winning this trophy today gave me so much happiness and fulfilment. 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,” said Djokovic, reported AFP.

Jim Courier was the last man to even have the possibility at this stage of the season. He won the Australian and French Open in 1992. Djokovic’s 12th major, and his first French Open title in 12 appearances means he has the chance to achieve a feat Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal haven’t been able to do.

"It's incredibly flattering to know that Rod Laver is the last one that managed to do it (the calendar Slam). It's one of the ultimate challenges that you have as a tennis player," added Djokovic who endured a nervous conclusion to Sunday's final.

(Also, read Statistical comparison- Is Djokovic a “greater” player than Nadal already?)

A nervous conclusion to yesterday’s final meant Djokovic let Murray come back from 2-5 to 4-5 in the final set. ‘Nole’ then double faulted on a match point, and put a forehand wide on another. The Scot netted a backhand though and Djokovic carved his name in history books.

Djokovic admitted he was stressed in the closing stages and felt like he was having an out of body experience. He said that when he got to 5-2, he started laughing. “I had that kind of emotion. I didn't feel too much pressure, honestly. Maybe I took things a bit too lightly and just played a loose game at 5-2."

"We're all humans, and arriving so close like never before in my life to this trophy and winning it, you know, I felt it. I felt the tension and excitement, all the emotions. You name it.

"In the last point, I don't even remember what happened. It was really one of those things — moments where you just try to be there. It's like my spirit has left my body and I was just observing my body fight the last three, four exchanges going left to right and hoping that Andy will make a mistake, which happened," he was quoted saying by AFP.

(Also read - The 10 Greatest Quotes by Muhammad Ali)

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