I anticipate Novak Djokovic to win the 2021 US Open and make history, says John McEnroe

I anticipate Novak Djokovic to win the 2021 US Open and make history, says John McEnroe

John McEnroe and Novak Djokovic

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Tennis legend John McEnroe believes World No.1 Novak Djokovic will win the 2021 US Open and in the process also achieve the Calendar Slam for the year. The Serb who has been out of action after his shocking loss at the recently concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics has landed in New York in pursuit of his 21st Grand Slam.

“I anticipate that he’s going to win the tournament, that’s what I anticipate. I felt before Wimbledon started that he was going to win the Grand Slam. I felt like he was going to lose at the Olympics. The two-out-of-three format, excessive travel, no fans, I think contributed. I think the heat is the big thing,” declared McEnroe.

However, the former World No.1 also warned that the extreme heat in New York could be the biggest threat, not only for the entire field but for Djokovic too.

“To me, it’s going to be him against the field. I pick him right now. The heat could be an issue for any player, any top player, any player for that matter. That could be a deciding factor if he were to lose to someone if he got stuck in a situation where he was playing in really hot conditions like it’s going to be tomorrow if he was playing during the day. Otherwise, I think he’s going to do it,” the American reasoned.

McEnroe backs Novak Djokovic to repeat Rod Laver’s heroics

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic

The Serbian superstar might have missed out on winning a medal for his country, but McEnroe is hopeful that Djokovic can repeat the Calendar Slam heroics after Rod Laver. The legendary Australian achieved the rare feat in 1962 and 1969.  

“Obviously can make things more interesting and exciting at this tournament, see if he can pull off something that’s not been done since Laver in ’69. Exciting,” the six-time Grand Slam winner opined.

Although Djokovic has landed in New York in pursuit of his Calendar Slam, he has not played any warm-up tournament in the run-up to the US Open. That said, the 34-year-old Serb is used to winning Slams without playing any warm-up events.

Also Read: Eugenie Bouchard labels Novak Djokovic as a ‘cry baby’