Novak Djokovic’s biggest threat to Calendar Slam at US Open plays down his chances

Australian Open: Novak Djokovic praises Daniil Medvedev

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Daniil Medvedev has played down his chances of beating Novak Djokovic at the upcoming US Open. The world No.2 recently won one of the lead-up events in Toronto and is one of the favourites to halt the Serb’s bid to win a record 21st Major and the Calendar Grand Slam in New York. The Russian would like to take the top spot from Djokovic in the rankings but admitted it won’t be easy.

Medvedev will go into the US Open with more confidence and match fitness than the world No.1, who hasn’t played since the Olympics.

Djokovic was the favourite to win the gold medal in Tokyo and complete the Calendar Golden Slam, winning all four Majors and Olympic gold in one year, but lost in the semi-final despite having led the eventual champion Alexander Zverev by a set and a break.

He was then beaten in his bronze medal match the following day, after hurling a racket into the stands and destroying a second when he was unable to convert a break point at the start of the third set.

The 20-time major winner  announced he would not be playing the Masters 1000 events in Toronto and Cincinnati following the Olympics, as he looked to take an extended period of rest and set his sights on the US Open.

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While Djokovic remains the favourite to win the title in Flushing Meadows, especially with Federer out for a third knee surgery and Nadal’s chances in doubt, he will still be coming into the tournament underprepared compared to recent years.

There will also be heavy pressure on the Serb’s shoulders, and when he found himself in a similar position in New York last year, he was defaulted from the tournament.

As Nadal and Federer skipped the first Grand Slam since the pandemic, Djokovic was the heavy favourite to lift the title and win what would’ve then been his 18th Grand Slam title.

However, his emotions got the better of him in the round of 16 when he hit a ball away in frustration after going a break down to Pablo Carreno Busta in the opening set, and he was immediately disqualified when the ball made contact with a linesperson.

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Meanwhile, Medvedev will be feeling confident having just won his fourth Masters title in Toronto, and is coming into Cincinnati as the last man to win the tournament when it was staged in Ohio in 2019.

Although he remains tipped to be the one man who can stop Djokovic in his tracks and end his chances of a Calendar Slam, the Russian is staying coy about his chances.

During an interview with the ATP Tour, Medvedev said: “Every time you play [Djokovic] you are under pressure, let’s call it like this.

“There are some matches where you go out on court, you feel like you’re on top of the guy, and that there is almost no chance you’re gonna lose this match just because you feel that you are playing better. Against Novak it’s never a possibility.”

Following his recent title win in Canada, the second-ranked player admitted that the conditions in Cincinnati were more similar to the US Open.

Having beaten Djokovic in the Ohio city, it should set him up well for a potential clash in New York, though Medvedev admitted that his victory over the world No 1 was a tough affair.

“You always feel under pressure [on] every point you play,” he added. “It was the same in Cincinnati [in 2019].”

With his eyes firmly set on the top spot in the rankings, currently occupied by the 34-year-old, Medvedev also recently said: “To be honest, taking world No.1 spot away from Novak Djokovic is not easy, he has won all three Majors this year, and you have to beat him in the final.

“I played against him at the Australian Open and had I beat him, my situation would have been much better, with 800 points difference. Still, Novak won that one, and that’s the reality.

“I want to try to play my best tennis and set high goals; if you win two majors and two Masters 1000 titles within a season, you will become world No 1. I want to become the world’s best player, and I have to chase big titles to achieve that.”
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