SPORTS
Novak Djokovic believes that his 2016 achievement of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time is the perfect playbook for a repeat performance at Roland Garros as he tries to become just the second man to complete the feat.
Novak Djokovic believes that his 2016 achievement of holding all four Grand Slam titles at the same time is the perfect playbook for a repeat performance at Roland Garros as he tries to become just the second man to complete the feat.
The world number one heads into the French Open with Wimbledon, the US Open and Australian Open titles already under his belt.
Victory in the June 9 final in Paris would allow him to join Rod Laver as the only other man to hold all the four majors at the same time twice.
"There is an extra motivation and incentive to win Roland Garros because of the opportunity to hold all four Slams, something I did three years ago," said the 32-year-old on Friday.
"That gives me obviously enough reason to believe I can do it again." Old rivals Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal may have more career majors -- 20 and 17 respectively to Djokovic's 15 -- but neither of them have managed even one private sweep, let alone two.
However, Djokovic's potential date with destiny would have appeared to be fantasy 12 months ago.
In Paris in 2018, Djokovic, still recovering from elbow surgery, crashed to a shock quarter-final loss to world number 72 Marco Cecchinato from Italy.
The defeat saw him slip out of the top 20 for the first time in over a decade and briefly had him contemplating skipping Wimbledon.
That threat was soon retracted and he went on to win the next three majors, a performance which has put him on the brink of history.
Victory in two weeks' time would also move him halfway to emulating Laver's feat of calendar Grand Slams in 1962 and 1969.
"I hold three Slams, am world number one. Obviously it's quite a different feeling approaching the tournament, with more confidence, and hopefully I can have a good two weeks," he said.
Despite his optimism, however, Djokovic prefers to pile the pressure of expectation onto the shoulders of 11-time Roland Garros champion Nadal.
Nadal defeated the Serb in the Italian Open final last weekend, a performance which led Djokovic to anoint the Spaniard as the man to beat in Paris.
"He's the main favourite to win the title," said Djokovic who remains just one of two men to have beaten the Spaniard on the Roland Garros clay in 14 years.
"It wouldn't be fair to pick anybody else but him as the main favourite, because he has won this tournament so many times.
"He has lost two times in his career on Parisian clay. So lots of respect for him, obviously, as always." Djokovic starts his bid for a second Roland Garros title and 16th major against Poland's Hubert Hurkacz, the world number 43.
Manipur CM N Biren resigns nearly two years after ethnic violence in state
Viral Video: Women travel in train toilet to Maha Kumbh, internet says "Is this a joke?
Vicky Jain's 'bizarre' comment leaves wife Ankita fuming with anger, netizens declare him 'red flag'
Bengaluru cops stop Ed Sheeran's street performance, video goes viral - Watch
Viral video: Lion spotted on moving jeep? Here’s the truth
YouTuber Gaurav Taneja reveals he was 'shocked' over his wife's decision to...
Teddy Day 2025: Date, history and significance of the fourth day of Valentine’s week
'Sugar is the biggest toxin...': Naga Chaitanya calls sugar more toxic than alcohol and tobacco
‘Over for Blinkit, Zepto’, this startup claims ‘delivering humans’ in 10 minutes, shocks netizens
Pratik Gandhi on his struggles, managing job with acting: 'Chaar gante sona luxury tha' | Exclusive
Why did Kumar Vishwas' wife cry after Manish Sisodia lost Delhi Elections: 'Not always power...'
'Fast and Furious' cars collision creates a Rohit Shetty scene on Indian road, viral video
'Go to the room, cry...': Salman Khan's wisdom on love, breakup is all you need this Valentine's Day
Parvesh Verma, BJP leader who defeated Arvind Kejriwal, makes BIG claim, says, 'we have to do...'
Sumona Chakravarti on joining Kapil Sharma show: 'Went from Ram Kapoor's sister to...'
Is Elon Musk still interested in buying TikTok? Tesla CEO provides BIG update, claims...
Groom's mother and mama join hands to burn the dance floor down, viral video sets internet on fire
What is historic 'Blue Gold', costlier than real gold?
Salman Khan opens up about his daddy issues with Salim Khan: 'How can he be right all the time...'
Powerful 7.6 magnitude earthquake jolts Caribbean, tsunami advisory issued
Salman Khan supports Sooaj Barjatya, pens note on his OTT debut, calls his show Bada Naam Karenge...
Little girl's energetic dance to 'London Thumakda' leaves netizens in awe, WATCH viral video
Meet man who left IIT, later earned Rs 286 crore in just 20 weeks by...
Viral Video: Sadhus playing cricket at Mahakumbh mela wins hearts online, watch
Happy Chocolate Day 2025: Wishes, WhatsApp messages, quotes to share with your partner on February 9
Meet woman, who plays key role in Rs 33661 crore company, daughter of billionaire
Vicky Kaushal and Akshaye Khanna didn't talk to each other on the Chhaava sets because...
Nita Ambani, Nick Jonas share candid moments at Siddharth Chopra's wedding, WATCH viral video
UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025 registration date extended by 7 days; apply at upsc.gov.in
'Fight for progress of Delhi will continue', says LoP Rahul Gandhi after Congress's Delhi debacle
Namma Metro Fare Update: Travel rides get costlier by 50 per cent from THIS date; check details
'AAP-Da Mukt Delhi': PM Modi hails BJP's resounding victory in assembly polls 2025
'He is fit to...': India batting coach shares BIG update on Virat Kohli ahead of IND vs ENG 2nd ODI
IND vs ENG: Rohit Sharma on cusp of breaking Sachin Tendulkar's record in elite openers list
NASA confirms Sunita Williams' return date, denies US President Trump’s ‘stranded’ claim
Meet man whose airline went bankrupt, still has Rs 43894 crore net worth, he is...
Ranji Trophy: Suryakumar Yadav's horror show with bat continues, India star clean bowled for just...
Chocolate Day 2025: 5 easy homemade chocolate recipes to impress your partner
Mass layoffs at Infosys as company terminates 700 freshers over...
Priyanka Chopra wears 62-emerald bead Bvlgari necklace at her brother's wedding
Chocolate Day 2025: Date, significance, history and celebration ideas
Meet Swati Singh, wife of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal by 4089 votes
Meet man, son of world’s richest woman, he is set to take over Rs 1642000 crore empire as...
SHOCKING! Bride's family cancels wedding at last moment over groom's low...
Nita Ambani, Shloka Mehta stun in gorgeous sarees at Priyanka Chopra's brother's wedding
Meet Trisha and Sanidhi, daughters of BJP's Parvesh Verma, who defeated Arvind Kejriwal