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Djokovic claims his 3rd career Grand Slam,
but he's still to win in France & the US |
The success of
Novak Djokovic at the 2011
Wimbledon tennis championships gave the Serb a third career Grand Slam.
The 24-year-old adding the prestigious grass court title to his two previous wins at the Australian Open (2008 & 2011).
And this victory leads to the question, whether the new world No.1 can become just the 8th man in modern tennis history to win all four Grand Slam titles - Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Needed... US Open And French Open Titles
Djokovic's two major rivals of recent years (Rafael Nadal & Roger Federer) have achieved the feat already. Federer sealing his quartet of Slams at the French Open 2009 and Rafa winning the US Open 2010 to complete his collection of major titles.
Fred Perry, Don Budge, Rod Laver, Roy Emerson and Andre Agassi being the only other players to land the four-timer.
Next up for the all-conquering Serb is the US Open at Flushing Meadows. A tournament where Nole has twice been a runner-up (2007 & 2010) and twice lost out in the semis (2008 & 2009).
And with Federer's ever-faltering form at the highest level these days (read full story here) and Rafa's increasingly worrying fitness... Djokovic must fancy his chances of winning a third major of the year.
That would leave the last remaining tournament as the French Open - and big wins on clay over Rafael Nadal in Rome and Madrid earlier in 2011 must give backers of the man from Belgrade great cause for optimism.
But... Career Grand Slams Aren't Easily Achieved
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| Fred Perry: Completed his career Grand Slam at the 1935 French Open |
Think of
Bjorn Borg,
John McEnroe,
Jimmy Connors,
Ivan Lendl,
Boris Becker... not to mention
Pete Sampras. All these guys failed to win all four ATP Tour Grand Slams during their time as professionals. One, or more, of the majors always eluded them.
It's no gimme that Djokovic will join the elite number of players - the Magnificent Seven - who have enjoyed success on hard courts of New York and Melbourne, the grass of London and the clay of Paris.
However, on the back of his SW19 triumph, some bookies have priced up the Wimbledon champion at just 33/1 to win all four Grand Slams in 2012... which is absolutely ludicrous!
By our reckoning, and given the data above, the Serb isn't far short of that price to win the two Slams he needs for a career full-house AT ANY POINT IN THE FUTURE! Never mind next year... we're talking at any point during the remainder of his time on the professional tennis tour.
Even More Needed To Enter 'Hall of Fame'
Djokovic has enjoyed a stellar year. He has patiently waited whilst Rafa and Roger have won Grand Slam after Grand Slam these past few years. He does appear to be improving. He's a much better competitor these days... no longer regarded as something of a 'choker'.
However, landing all four major titles is something very few players achieve in their career. Djokovic might well do it but let's not fall for the hype of a player who has played phenomenal tennis in recent months... and will need to keep doing that (and more) if he's to become the next man to be added to the list of tennis immortals.
