For the third time in 2021, and a record-tying 20th time ever, Novak Djokovic won a Grand Slam men’s singles title on Sunday, taking the Wimbledon crown by defeating Matteo Berrettini 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 in the final. This comes after he won the Australian Open and French Open earlier this year.
That puts Djokovic in position for a calendar-year Grand Slam if he can win the US Open, a feat not accomplished since Rod Laver did it 52 years ago. The singles title also tied Djokovic to Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer for the most Grand Slam singles titles for a man in history.
“I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa and Roger,” Djokovic said on the court after the match. “They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players that I’ve ever faced in my career. They are, I think, the reason that I am where I am today. They have helped me realize what I need to do in order to improve, get stronger mentally, physically, tactically.”
At 34, Djokovic can pass the two tennis legends and accomplish a feat neither of them have with a win in the US Open in New York, which starts Aug. 30. Djokovic is the betting favorite at -120 in early US Open tennis odds.
“I would definitely envision that happening,” Djokovic said. “I’m going to definitely give it a shot. I’m in a great form and obviously playing well. Playing my best tennis at Grand Slams is the highest priority that I have right now at this stage of my career. So, let’s keep it going.”
Clear Path?
Federer made it to the quarterfinals at Wimbledon and has +1000 odds at the US Open. That ties him with Alexander Zverev and Stefanos Tsitsipas for the fifth-best odds on the men’s side. Nadal withdrew from Wimbledon prior to the tournament but has odds of +650 to win the US Open, the third-best at this time.
Djokovic’s biggest competition may come from Daniil Medvedev, who has the second-best odds at the tournament at +500. Dominic Thiem is also a top contender according to oddsmakers with odds of +700.
But it’s Djokovic who is the clear favorite to win his fourth US Open title. The Wimbledon title was his third consecutive and sixth overall. He also has won nine titles at the Australian Open and two at the French Open.
“He’s writing the history of this sport,” Berrettini said after falling on Sunday, “so he deserves all the credit.”
Federer and Nadal both took to Twitter to wish Djokovic the best after his win on Sunday.
No Olympics?
While Novak Djokovic is focused on the US Open, he’s unsure if he’ll participate in the Tokyo Olympics, saying on Sunday after the Wimbledon final that he’s “divided” despite previously committing to attending.
“Yeah, that’s not great news (about fans not being allowed),” Djokovic said after Sunday’s match. “I received that news yesterday or two days ago. That was really disappointing to hear.
“I also hear that there’s going to be a lot of restrictions within the village. Possibly you would not be able to see other athletes perform live. I can’t even have my stringer that is a very important part of my team. I can’t have a stringer. I’m limited with the number of people I can take in my team as well.
“I’ll have to think about it. Right now, as I said, my plan was always to go to the Olympic Games. But Right now, I’m a little bit divided. It’s kind of 50/50 because of what I heard in the last couple days.”
Not surprisingly, Djokovic is the favorite to win the men’s singles title in Tokyo according to Olympic tennis odds, currently holding -115 odds. Medvedev, Tsitsipas, and Zverev are next in the list of favorites at +300, +400, and +600, respectively.
Djokovic has never won an Olympic gold medal, with his best finish coming in 2008 in Beijing when he won the bronze medal. Andy Murray of Great Britain has won the last two men’s singles gold medals, defeating Federer in the final in London in 2012 and Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in Rio de Janeiro in 2016.
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