Countdown to 2021: Records and Milestones Novak Djokovic might achieve in the coming year
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Novak Djokovic had a successful 2020 season, where he won 4 titles, including an eight Australian Open title, earlier in February. The Serb ended the year as the World number one for a record sixth time, equaling Pete Sampras’s record. Djokovic was unbeaten for majority of the season, and was 26-0 before he defaulted at the US Open in the 4th round, which costed handed him his first defeat of the season.
The Serbian did not end the season on a high, suffering a quarterfinal loss in Vienna and a semifinal loss at the Nitto ATP Finals against Dominic Thiem. However, there were a lot of positives to take from the Serbian’s 2020 season as he heads into the upcoming 2021 season, with lots to play for.
Novak Djokovic will hope to achieve several records and milestones in 2021, as he continues to entertain the fans with his jaw-dropping tennis. In this article, we will look at a few records the Serbian can achieve in the upcoming year.
Historic World Number One ranking
Novak Djokovic is currently in his 297th week at the top of the ATP Rankings, just 13 behind Roger Federer’s record of 310 weeks at the top. The Serbian has developed a healthy lead over the second ranked, Rafael Nadal and is on course to achieving the historic milestone of becoming the player with most weeks at World number 1 by March. He can achieve this milestone as early as the 8 March, next year.
As stated by Novak Djokovic, this historic ranking landmark is at the top of his priority list, heading into the 2021 season. A record so long held by the Swiss maestro, Roger Federer can finally be broken by the Serb, if all goes according to plan in the opening quarter of the season.
Double Career Grandslam
Novak Djokovic has achieved immense success at the Australian Open, where he has won 8 titles, at Wimbledon, the Serbian has won 5 titles and he has 3 US Open titles to his name so far. However, it is the French Open that has been hard to come by for the Serbian. He has just won the French Open title once, defeating Andy Murray in the final in 2016. This year, Novak Djokovic played quality tennis to reach the finals of the French Open, but was humbled by Rafael Nadal in straight sets.
The French Open, is often called the Rafael Nadal territory, and Novak Djokovic will be hoping to avenge his loss in Paris next year. If he is able to win his 2nd French Open title in 2021, he can become the first player to win all Grandslams atleast twice, and complete his Double Career Grandslam. For him to become the first man to achieve this feat, Rafael Nadal should not win the Australian Open, which will make him the first man to do so.
Career Golden Slam
Career Golden Slam is one of the most talked about feats in tennis, after the Career Grandslam. In addition to winning all the four slams atleast once, the Career Golden Slam also includes winning an Olympic Gold Medal. Only four players have achieved this milestone in the past which includes Rafael Nadal, Andre Agassi, Serena Williams and Streffi Graf.
Novak Djokovic has completed his Career Grandslam, but has never been able to win an Olympic Gold medal in his career. He did a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. The Serbian was knocked out in the first round of the Rio Olympics in 2016 after losing to Juan Martin Del Potro. Hence, the 2021 Tokyo Olympics might be the Serb’s last chance to claim a Gold medal for his country which will put him in the elite list of the people to complete the Career Golden Slam.
Year-end World Number one ranking
Novak Djokovic moved level with Pete Sampras after ending the 2020 year as the World number 1. The Serb has now finished the year on top for a record-equaling sixth time. Djokovic would be looking forward to run clear of Pete Sampras and have this record all by himself, next year as he will push for another year end ranking of number one, which will take his total tally to 7.
The Serb will be felicitated with this honor at the ATP Finals in Turin, if at all he ends the year on top. The ATP Finals ended its 12-year long run in London and will move to Turin, starting from 2021.
End with most Grandslam titles
Novak Djokovic has 17 Grandslam titles to his name, three short of Nadal’s and Federer’s tally of 20 each. The Serbian squandered an incredible opportunity at the US Open, where he defaulted in the fourth round which costed him his 18th major. He could not add to his Grandslam tally in Paris as he lost in the final to Rafael Nadal.
Novak Djokovic would be eyeing three Grandslam titles next year, in Australia, Wimbledon and at the Flushing Meadows. This will move him equal with Rafael Nadal, provided he does not win the French Open, which is again very unlikely and Roger Federer does not win any major in his comeback season. The Serb will surely be looking forward to add as many majors to his tally, to keep within touching distance of Federer and Nadal.
Also Read: Rafael Nadal aces past Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer in this ‘All-Time’ record
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Nirmit Mehta
(2425 Articles Published)