2023-06-12 16:03:00
Making history in New York
Record hunter Novak Djokovic dreams of Steffi Graf
6/12/2023, 6:03 p.m
Most recently, Steffi Graf won all Grand Slam tournaments in one year. After the title record, Novak Djokovic is aiming for the next historic success. The Serb gets inspiration from other sports greats.
The age of the most famous partygoer directly inspired Novak Djokovic to attack more records in his once-in-a-lifetime tennis career. Tom Brady had won the Super Bowl as a 43-year-old quarterback, so the Serbs shouldn’t be over at 36 for a long time. “I still have time, Tom,” Djokovic said late on Sunday evening in Paris, laughing at his noble fan – and even after the 23rd Grand Slam title, he doesn’t see himself as achieving his dreams. “The journey is not over yet. As long as I’m still winning Slams, why would I even think about retiring.”
After celebrating as the most successful male professional in history, Djokovic kissed the silver trophy for the French Open winner with the Eiffel Tower in the background on Monday afternoon. He has left Rafael Nadal (22) and Roger Federer (20) behind in the number of major titles. “The debate about who is the greatest of all time in tennis is over,” wrote the sports newspaper “Marca” from Nadal’s Spanish homeland.
At the press conference, daughter Tara listened to her father from the corner of the podium, and son Stefan also listened. It will be a while before Djokovic only devotes himself to his family. “I’m still motivated, still inspired to play the best tennis at Grand Slams. These are the tournaments that count the most in the history of our sport,” said Djokovic, who also reclaimed the top of the world rankings for the 388th week.
2021 versagen Djokovic Nerven
Now he wants to win all four Grand Slams in one year for the first time. 54 years ago, the Australian Rod Laver managed to do this in the men’s category, and Steffi Graf even triumphed at the Olympics in 1988. “I would like to have another chance to make history in New York,” Djokovic enthused about the great opportunity late on Sunday evening on the Tennis Channel.
Steffi Graf is very happy. She just won the Golden Slam. Djokovic can’t get that this year.
(Foto: picture alliance / ASSOCIATED PRESS)
At his “dream tournament” in Wimbledon, the Serb will be the favorite for the eighth title in three weeks, at the US Open he was already close to the so-called Grand Slam in 2021. Completely tense up, however, he failed in the final.
Meanwhile, Djokovic seems even more solid. “In the past 50 years I’ve studied every tennis champion. I’ve never seen anyone like Novak Djokovic,” said 18-time Grand Slam tournament winner Chris Evert. The significantly younger challengers Carlos Alcaraz, 20 years old, in the semi-finals and 24-year-old Casper Ruud in the final had to admit defeat to the mental and physical strength of the dominator.
“He takes your legs, then he takes your soul, then he digs your grave and then your funeral is over and you’re dead. Bye-bye. Thank you for being there,” said coach Goran Ivanisevic martially, characterizing his will to win protégé. “It’s fascinating to see because sometimes you think, okay, now you’ve got 23. But he’ll find the motivation again to win 24, maybe 25, who knows where the end is.”
Handcuffed for three days?
Djokovic gets his drive from the games, where the eyes of the sports world are on him, like on Sunday on the Philippe-Chatrier court. After thanking Brady and football superstars like Kylian Mbappé, Zlatan Ibrahimović and Olivier Giroud in the stands, Djokovic was still taking selfies with fans and tournament helpers more than an hour after the match point, giving away his equipment. “He has this software in his head that he can turn on when a Grand Slam comes up,” said former Wimbledon champion Ivanisevic.
This always involves controversy. Djokovic caused criticism at the French Open with his political message about the unrest in Kosovo, and with his refusal to give the corona vaccination he had probably lost more Grand Slam titles in the past. In a humorous press conference, Ivansevic reported on the challenges that Djokovic repeatedly poses to his own team with his very own head. “He handcuffed us for three days,” joked the 51-year-old. “He’s not an easy boy, especially when things don’t go his way.”
Brady was also known for a certain persistence throughout his career. Djokovic reported that he had been in contact with the greatest professional footballer in history for ten years, but that this was the first time he had met him. “He’s the essence of longevity in sport,” Djokovic said, describing what he learned from the 45-year-old: “We’ve talked a lot about that longevity, what gives you an advantage, what allows you mentally, physically, emotionally, to become a better version of yourself.” Djokovic’s version at the French Open may not have been the last.
1686590614
#Writing #history #York #record #hunter #Novak #Djokovic #dreams #Steffi #Graf