The last five challenges of Novak Djokovic
Hang a 21st Grand Slam
For the moment in the statistics tables, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic are on the same line, with 20 Grand Slams each on the clock. The nod is nice for the story of this “Big 3” which has not stopped competing for honors for years. But for Djokovic (and for the Swiss and the Spaniard), it would be even nicer to be him in front and the others behind. “Nole” seems better armed than his two rivals, who must manage a painful body at the end of the season, to be the one who will stand out.
24
The absolute record, men and women alike, for the number of Grand Slam titles. It is owned by Margaret Court.
Grand Slam Signing Schedule
His failure in the final of the US Open this year after winning the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon will undoubtedly remain as the most violent of his career. The Serb held there the unique opportunity to achieve what neither Roger Federer nor Rafael Nadal managed to accomplish. To erase it, he will succeed in recreating such an opportunity and rebuilding this armor that exploded in New York against Daniil Medvedev. His tears before the end of the match showed the inordinate pressure he faced during this XXL but still frustrating year.
Novak Djokovic congratulated Daniil Medvedev on his first Major title, a defeat that sounded the death knell for the Serbian’s calendar Grand Slam dreams. (MA Stockman / AFP)
Win Olympic gold
It was the other defeat that marked Djokovic this season: the one in the semifinals of the Olympic Games against Alexander Zverev despite a set and a break in advance. The world No. 1 has never won an Olympic title before and it is inevitably something he wants to bring to his country (he has already won a Davis Cup and will be present this year to represent Serbia in the final phase) . At 34, opportunities will become increasingly rare and the Paris Games in 2024 should be the ultimate opening to complete his list of achievements.
Running after Jimmy Connors
He erased Pete Sampras from the shelves by making sure to finish once again world No. 1 this season, he also stole records from Roger Federer (number of weeks spent at the top of the ATP ranking) but some of the most legendary brands of tennis are owned by a third man, Jimmy Connors.
In the Open era, the American won 109 titles, an absolute record, and signed 1,274 victories on the circuit, again a record. The Serbian is still relatively far from these marks with 85 titles on the clock and 981 successes. This hunt can animate him and also that in his direct face-to-face with his contemporary rivals. He’s not that far from Nadal (88 titles, 1028 wins) but Federer remains at an honest distance (103, 1251) and seems most likely to catch up with Connors in terms of wins on the circuit.
Hold the record for Masters 1000 titles on your own
This challenge, Djokovic will have the opportunity to succeed on Sunday, in the Bercy final. For the moment, the Serbian has 36 titles, tied with Rafael Nadal. A sixth title at Bercy would make him the sole holder of this record. A form of logic for the one who is the only one to have won all the Masters 1000 (a feat he has achieved twice).
6
Roger Federer’s number of victories in the Masters at the end of the season. Djokovic is currently stuck at five alongside Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.