Google News 'Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's fans should cheer for...', says former ace
by SIMONE BRUGNOLI | VIEW 5944
Novak Djokovic has the chance to write yet another page of history in this edition of the US Open. The number 1 in the world pursues the dream of realizing the 'Calendar Grand Slam', a feat that was only successful once in the Open Era (in Rod Laver back in 1969).
Having won the top three majors of the season, the Serbian phenomenon is also a big favorite in New York, where he has triumphed three times in his career. The 34-year-old from Belgrade made it through the first three rounds in Flushing Meadows with relative ease, only encountering some difficulties at the start of the match against Kei Nishikori.
After losing the first partial to the tiebreak, Nole has raised the revs of his engine by archiving the practice without spending too much energy. In case of triumph in the Big Apple, Djokovic would raise himself to 21 Slam, thus bypassing the eternal rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
The Swiss and the Spaniard are both absent due to injury and will not return to the field before 2022. Speaking on the Tennis Channel in recent days, former American champion Jim Courier explained that all tennis fans should cheer for Novak in these two weeks in New York.
Jim Courier opens up on the Big 3
“Let it be clear to everyone at home in the UK. Sorry for you Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's fans, but I encourage Novak Djokovic to win the Grand Slam. It would be great for sports.
Obviously incredible for him but also for tennis as a whole" - Jim Courier stated. Novak Djokovic kept his Calendar Slam hopes alive with a gritty 6-7(4), 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 win over Kei Nishikori in the third round of the 2021 US Open on Saturday.
Djokovic is now four wins away from becoming the first man since Rod Laver to win all four Majors in a calendar year. "All in all, I would love to leave the legacy first of all that is a good human being, someone that people respect as a person, that has good character, and of course then after a tennis player," Novak Djokovic said.
"For me those things are more important than results." Djokovic also claimed he is never surprised when he wins Majors or other big events because he always aims to do so. "Well, I would not be honest fully if I told you I don't think or I don't believe or I don't visualize that I can win every single Grand Slam that I play in," Djokovic said.
"I'm not surprised when I win Slams and big tournaments because that's always a goal. It's very clear image in my head and I try to do everything I can to get my hands on the Grand Slam trophy."