The objective was clear and it was a challenge of gigantic dimensions. Novak Djokovic I had it between my eyebrows after winning the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon: I wanted to conquer all the big titles in this 2021. He even bet the Golden Slam trick by playing the Tokyo Olympics in which Alexander Zverev, in the semifinals, deprived him of this goal.
He still had his great challenge, to become the third player in the history of men’s tennis, after Don Budge (1938) and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969), to conquer all four ‘majors’ in the same year. However, the Sunday’s loss to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final Not only did it prevent the Serbian from meeting the challenge of challenges, but it has also raised doubts in him about the possibility of continuing to play this season.
“I do not know if I will play somewhere. Right now, my mind can only be here, in New York,” Djokovic said after concluding the final about his schedule for the remainder of 2021. He was aware that his great goal in the second half of the season was gone. However, although they are more secondary wishes considering the pharaonic challenge that had been raised with that Grand Slam, ‘Nole’ can still try to add several records in the remainder of 2021.
1. More Masters 1000 solo
Always assuming that that great desire of the 21 Grand Slam for the solo record and the dream of the annual Grand Slam will have to wait, Djokovic’s next goal could be in Indian Wells from October 7 to 17. If the Serbian decides to complete the season, and taking into account that he will not participate in the Laver Cup, the American tournament, located in the fall due to the pandemic, should be the one marked in red for his return to the slopes. From playing in Indian Wells, Djokovic bHe would use his 37th Masters 1000 to break the tie at 36 that joins Rafa Nadal. It would also stay in the bedroom Paris-Bercy. In addition, Nadal has already put an end to his season due to his left foot injury, so he will not add more trophies this year.
2. Match the top of most solo titles in three different Masters 1000s
If I win Indian Wells, Djokovic would be placed with 6 wound on this date and would break the tie with Roger Federer. Thus, he would dominate the record of this Masters 1000 alone, as he already does in Shanghai (4 titles) and in Paris (5). Solo Rafa Nadal (11 titles in Monte Carlo, 5 in Madrid and 10 in Rome) alone dominates the record of three different Masters 1000 (always taking into account also years prior to 1990, since Nadal has 5 titles in Canada, for the 6 of a Lendl who achieved them in the stage before the ‘Masters 1000 era’) . It should be noted that Djokovic also commands in Miami with 6 titles, although tied with Andre Agassi.
More titles in each Masters 1000 tournament
-Indian Wells: 5 Novak Djokovic y Roger Federer
-Miami: 6 Andre Agassi y Novak Djokovic
-Montecarlo: 11 Rafa Nadal
-Madrid: 5 Rafa Nadal
-Rome: 10 Rafa Nadal
-Canada: 6 Ivan Lendl (before the Masters 1000). 5 Rafa Nadal as Masters 1000
-Cincinnati: 7 Roger Federer
-Shanghai: 4 Novak Djokovic
-Paris-Bercy: 5 Novak Djokovic
3. Match the title cap at ATP Finals
It can be one of your big goals. Champion in 2008 and absolute dominator between 2012 and 2015, ‘Nole’ has five titles of ‘teacher’. Since then, five editions of the AT Finals have passed without the Serb having been able to add a sixth title that he touched in 2016 (final lost against Andy Murray) and in 2018 (final lost against Alexander Zverev). Winning the sixth would allow him to tie as absolute king of the record with Roger Federer and tie the tie with the five titles also added by Ivan Lendl and Pete Sampras.
4. More years finished as number 1
It could be his fundamental objective and the one that ends up pushing Djokovic to play the rest of the season at full capacity. The loss to Daniil Medvedev in the US Open final has put the Russian squarely in the fight for world No. 1 at the end of the year. The ‘race’ separates the Serbian and the Russian in 1990 points, so Medvedev, with Indian Wells, Paris-Bercy and ATP Finals, among others, still to be played, has enough ground to try to snatch his scepter from Djokovic, even more so if the Serbian takes a break. Djokovic therefore has the advantages of continuing to play or that Medvedev fails to tie a number 1 of the season that would crown him as best of the year for the seventh time in his career. No one has achieved a similar milestone, since ‘Nole’ shares the record of six seasons finished as No. 1 with Pete Sampras. He has long been the player with the most weeks at number 1, now with 338.
5. Full season at issue 1
Djokovic also aspires to remain at number 1 in the ATP in all the weeks of this 2021. Since the ranking was launched in 1973, only in twelve previous occasions a player has managed to dominate the classification with an iron fist without interruption throughout the year. The same He did it in 2015. He has also done it on one occasion Lleyton Hewitt (2002), while they have achieved it in two Ivan Lendl (1986 and 1987) and Pete Sampras (1994 and 1997). Three times they have reached this milestone Jimmy Connors (1975, 1976 and 1978) and Roger Federer (2005, 2006 and 2007).
6. Hunt Rafa Nadal in ATP titles
It is another motivation that can wait for 2022, but that can also be fulfilled in 2021. Rafa Nadal is he fourth player in ATP history with the most titles, with a total of 88. Novak Djokovic sum 85 and is fifth in the ranking. With Indian Wells, Paris-Bercy and the ATP Finals ahead (the ATP 500 from Vienna also remains), it may be another motivation for Djokovic in this 2021. In the list of more titles they are ahead, and for now far, Jimmy Connors’ 109, Roger Federer’s 103, and Ivan Lendl’s 94.
7. Hunt Rafa Nadal in ATP finals
It’s not just Djokovic chasing Nadal in ATP titles. It also does it in end. The Serbian has 122 in his career, of which he has won 85 and lost 37, and is fifth on the historical list. They surpass you with 125 Rafa (88+37), with 146 Ivan Lendl (94 + 52), with 157 Roger Federer (103 + 54) and with 164 Jimmy Connors (109 + 55). Thus, with three more finals this year, Djokovic could tie in this section with the Balearic.
8. Davis Cup
In a calendar loaded with the Olympic Games, it seems risky to think of confirming anyone for the Davis Cup end of the year. But, for being, the competition is on the calendar. Sports hero of his country, Djokovic was already key in winning the title for Serbia in 2010.
9. More challenges for 2022
Who knows if Djokovic will be able to rebuild himself to go back to look for the Grand Slam anual in 2022. Of course, what it will look for will be the 21st Grand Slam of his career to tie the tie with Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal, who, depending on his physical condition, could also attack him. Djokovic also, in case of retaining the number 1 in this 2021, will aspire next year to approaching or exceeding 100 weeks in a row in this position, something achieved by Federer (237), Connors (160), Lendl (157), Djokovic himself (122) and Sampras (102). The challenge of Golden Slam on the run will have to wait until 2024.
