Since his first coronation at Wimbledon in 2011, the world number one nibbles a blade of grass after each title (editor's note: 5 to date in London). Two years ago (editor's note: the 2020 edition having been canceled due to Covid-19), he obviously did not deviate from his cute sin. Shaken like never before by an incredible Roger Federer, always so green, the Serbian won after a fight of incredible intensity of nearly 5 hours in the tie-break of the 5th set (7-6, 1 -6, 7-6, 4-6, 13-12). Miraculously, since he had to save two match points in the fifth set while the Swiss served for the match at 9-7. But Djokovic did not rejoice over his winning match point. Perhaps annoyed to have evolved, that day, alone against all the Center Court. Failing to win hearts,the Serbian piled up titles and records. Since this anthology final, the boss of world tennis has won three of the following six major tournaments.
“Staying in the present is very complicated.
But I have my technique to stay focused.
"
Novak Djokovic
With its spectacular triumph at Roland-Garros two weeks ago, the “Nole” is more than ever on the way to achieving the calendar Grand Slam, becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win the four major tournaments. same year.
He may even dream of Golden Slam (the four Grand Slam tournaments and the Olympics).
“
It's a pretty tough challenge
,” he slipped to the press.
It's very easy to spread out and think of all the possible options.
Staying in the present is very complicated.
But I have my technique to stay focused.
I know what to do when I'm on the court.
I go to the essentials so as not to lose energy
. "
“I do my programming according to the Grand Slams.
"
Novak Djokovic
In his viewfinder also (and above all): the 20 major titles of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer. "
For the moment, I have 19 so I can tell you what it means to have 19. But I hope that I would know in two weeks what it means to have 20. Which is certain is that at this stage of my career, the Grand Slams have become my main motivation. I've said it before, these are the tournaments that I really want to win. They force me to raise my level of play, it also means that you have to produce your best tennis when it really matters. That's kind of what my last season looks like, and that's what the rest of my career will be like. I do my programming according to the Grand Slams.
"
“Winning Roland-Garros was something really intense, it required a profusion of energy, mental as well as physical, unheard of.
"
Novak Djokovic
In the absence of the Spaniard (at rest) and with an eight-time Swiss winner, lacking confidence and benchmarks, the doors of a third consecutive coronation at Church Road seem wide open to him.
“I want to continue on this series. I feel good on grass. I have improved a lot on this surface over the years ”
. His preparation was original since he chose to spend time with his family on the island of Mallorca, before playing doubles on the lawn of the Mallorca Open. “
Winning Roland-Garros was something really intense, it required a profusion of energy, mental as well as physical, incredible, but I did not allow myself to celebrate because four days later, I was on the grass to train me. "
A possible rematch against Federer in the final
After an appetizer against the Briton Jack Draper (250th and guest), the insatiable could cross the road of Kevin Anderson (finalist of the 2018 edition sharply beaten ... by the Serbian) in the second round. Things could get complicated then with a Rublev-Tsitsipas-Medvedev sequence and, ultimately, a hypothetical final against Federer. But Djokovic's worst enemy will be Djokovic himself. Will he experience a post-victory Roland-Garros relaxation? In 2016, after his first Parisian coronation, he was knocked out in the 3rd round by the American Sam Querrey. Before losing the flame and experiencing a period of wounds and doubts. But the 2021 version Djokovic is on a mission to break all records. Nothing seems to be able to deflect it from its accessible stars.