Sports Monday, August 30, 2021 15 Winning calendar would be greatest achievement: Djokovic DPA

ovak Djokovic said claiming an elusive Pressure is a privilege, it Ncalendar Grand Slam truly is. This is what you would be the greatest achieve- ment of his illustrious career. work for day-in, day-out, Djokovic can become the all your life, to put first man since in Ash Barty of during her match with of 1969 to complete the slam yourself in a unique Spain at the 2020 Olympics in July, 2021. sweep if he wins the US Open, position to win Grand having already conquered the Slams and to make , history. At the end of and Wimbledon in 2021. Relaxed Ash The world number one the day, I’m a big would be just the third man to fan, (a) fan of history. I win all four majors in the same year after was the admire this sport. I love ready to put best first to do so in in 1938 before it. I have this chance, Laver in 1962 and 1969. Djokovic could also move and I’m going to try to clear of rivals use it. foot forward and , who will both miss the Flushing Mead- n a year when mental health Wimbledon, it was really im- ows tournament due to injury, has often been a headline in portant for me to go home and for the most men’s grand slam Djokovic said. Isports, it is fitting that Ash take stock. I arrived in the U.S. titles in history - the trio are “I can’t wait. Honestly I’m Barty of Australia is the No. 1 knowing I was probably not go- level on 20. very motivated to play my best women’s player in the world. ing to be playing my best tennis Preparing for his first- tennis. Barty had the self-awareness in some of those tournaments. round match against Holger But I have to hit one ball to walk away from tennis for But I had a solid end of the Rune in , Djokovic at a time, try to be in the mo- more than a year in 2014 to year. [Barty reached the finals - who missed out on a Golden ment, have a guiding star in seek a more normal existence of the and won the Slam when he failed to win Novak Djokovic of Serbia returns the ball during a practice session prior to the start of the 2021 US Open at a way, a dream to win a Slam (although she also took up year-end WTA Finals.] Olympic gold in Tokyo – told USTA National Tennis Center in the borough of . (Getty Images/AFP) here, which would obviously professional ). In 2019, reporters: “I’m very inspired complete the calendar Slam. when she stumbled at Wimble- This year, was it easy to find to play my best tennis here. is pretty big from my own self (a) fan of history. I admire Open after hitting a linesper- “I’m hugely inspired and don, losing in the fourth round, your footing right away? “I don’t want to say it’s and from of course people this sport. I love it. I have this son with the ball during his motivated by that, no doubt. she took a few weeks to return I just take each week as it now or never for me because I around me. chance, and I’m going to try to fourth-round match against But at the same time, I know home and rejuvenate. And after comes. Each match is an op- think I’m going to have more “But I thrive under pres- use it.” Pablo Carreno Busta. how to balance things out staying off the tour for nearly a portunity to do the best that I opportunities in my life to win sure, as well. I’ve done that A three-time US Open “Obviously I know how big mentally, with lots of expecta- year during the pandemic, she can on that given day. Whether Slams. I don’t know if I’m go- many times in my career. champion, the 34-year-old of an opportunity is in front of tions around. has won four titles this year, that’s a win or loss is quite ing to be having more oppor- Pressure is a privilege, it truly Djokovic owns a 75-12 re- me here in New York, where “My participation here, including Wimbledon. irrelevant. It’s more about going tunities to win calendar Slams. is. This is what you work for cord at the slam in the United historically I’ve played really without Rafa and Roger par- Barty discussed her approach out there with the right attitude “That’s why it’s a very day-in, day-out, all your life, to States. well over the years. ticipating, I feel it. I know to tennis and life as she pre- regardless of the result. As an unique opportunity. At the put yourself in a unique posi- It will be Djokovic’s first It’s probably the most en- there are a lot of people who pared for the US Open. athlete you need to be able to same time, I don’t need to tion to win Grand Slams and time back at Flushing Mead- tertaining tennis court that are going to be watching my Excerpts separate and not place your put any additional pressure to make history. At the end of ows since he was sensationally we have. (The) crowd will matches and expecting me to self-worth on those wins and to what I already have, which the day, I’m a big tennis fan, defaulted from last year’s US be back (in the) stadium,” do well and fight for a Slam.” Are you someone who has losses — that’s certainly a always gone your own way? false way to determine whether I grew up with values from my you’ve had a successful career. mom and dad that you make It’s more about the way you the right decisions for the go about it and how much you right reasons, and they are not enjoy that journey. Barty and Osaka among the favourites dependent on tennis. When I do that, regardless of what Were you confident before DPA ian woman to win a Wimbledon Meadows since Serena Wil- that means for my tennis, I’m Wimbledon or worried about New York singles title for 41 years in July. liams claimed three in a row a happy person. Certainly, you lingering injuries? Not since Williams in 2012 has from 2012 to 2014. can’t please everyone, but I always trust in my tennis. If Novak Djokovic is a strong a player claimed back-to-back Osaka is the only woman to that’s all I need to do. I play well, I’ll be very hard to favourite to become only the women’s singles major crowns win at least one major title beat. But at Wimbledon, my third man to complete a cal- in the same year, but Barty over the past four seasons, Do you get frustrated when team and I had no idea how my endar Grand Slam and make could take some stopping. winning the Australian Open in people attack or body was going to respond, so history at the US Open. She could become the ninth 2019 and 2021, as well as the for making deci- we were on edge. I would wake Djokovic has won all three woman in the Open Era to win US Open in 2018 and last year. sions based on their mental up each morning to see if I felt majors this year and can com- Wimbledon and the US Open health? all right. Getting through the plete a 2021 clean sweep at in the same season. Margaret ZVEREV BIDS TO BANISH I haven’t followed those stories tournament physically was mas- Flushing Meadows. Court, Billie Jean King, Chris PAINFUL MEMORIES too closely, but based on the sive, so I was able to relax and The irrepressible world Evert, , Steffi was beaten headlines, I hope that they are play some of my best tennis number one would also go be- Graf, , Venus Wil- by in his maiden making the right decisions for when it mattered most. yond Roger Federer and Ra- liams and can grand slam final in New York the right reasons. It shouldn’t fael Nadal - both absent due boast that achievement. last year after the German had matter to Simone and Naomi The US Open has proved your to injury - with 21 Grand Slam ’s Alexander Zverev attends a practice session ahead of the been two sets up. what the rest of the world biggest challenge. You’ve never singles titles if he triumphs in 2021 US Open in New York on Friday. (AFP) OSAKA BACK TO DEFEND TITLE He will not have to face Thiem thinks. gotten past the fourth round. New York. Japanese sensation Osaka won this time around as the defend- Is there a specific challenge to There will be no elusive WHAT A DIFFERENCE A YEAR win Olympic gold in Tokyo, but her third grand slam title at ing champion is sidelined due In 2019, after reaching No. 1, playing there for you? record-equalling 24th major MAKES FOR DOMINANT NOVAK he could join Don Budge (1938) Flushing Meadows last Septem- to injury. Zverev was the only you fell at Wimbledon, took I love playing in New York, and I singles crown for Serena Wil- Djokovic was thrown out of the and Rod Laver (1962 and 1969) ber and went on to add a fourth player to 100 or more three weeks off and then fell in love the conditions. Making the liams, who has not recovered US Open last year after acciden- as the only men to win all four at the Australian Open this year. aces during the tournament last the second round of your next fourth round a couple of years from the hamstring injury she tally hitting a line judge in the majors in the same year. Osaka returns to grand slam year, firing down 131 but also tournament. Did you feel pres- in a row is not terrible — being suffered at Wimbledon. throat with a tennis ball. (1953), Mar- action for the first time since racking up more double faults sure as the new No. 1? in the second week of a Slam With Ash Barty and Naomi The 34-year-old arrived in New garet Court (970) and Steffi withdrawing from the French (64) than anyone else. It was really exciting — this was is where you want to be — and Osaka the leading contend- York in far better spirits than Graf (1988) are the only women Open, citing struggles with her The world number four won his something I’d worked towards. It I’ve lost to some quality op- ers to take the women’s sin- when he left last September, to achieve the incredible feat. mental health. fourth title of the year in Cincin- certainly didn’t add any pres- ponents. We just keep chipping gles title, Stats Perform use having taken on all comers this The world number three could nati last week but Djokovic is sure; if anything, it took it off away. I just go there and try to Opta data to preview the final year. Djokovic missed out on a BARTY TO GO BACK-TO-BACK? be the first woman to win undoubtedly the man to beat at because I had absolutely noth- put my best foot forward. Grand Slam of the year. Golden Slam when he failed to Barty became the first Austral- consecutive titles at Flushing Flushing Meadows. ing to prove to anyone. After (NYT) Naomi seeks to match Clijsters, Billie Jean King with third Open title

Agencies could face Kerber, the No. 16 seed, or a top the US Open, is the heavy favorite to reach New York American — either or Sloane the women’s singles final in the top half of Stephens, who play each other in the first the draw. Should Barty get sidetracked, A third singles title in Sweeping the year’s two Grand Slam round, or . Osaka — were she to advance through the New York would not championships held on hard courts is a sur- Both Keys and Stephens have winning bottom half of the draw — could face No. 4 prisingly rare feat in women’s tennis. Only records over Osaka (3-1 and 2-0, respective- Karolina Pliskova, cham- only tie her with Kim two players have captured the Australian ly), while Osaka is 2-1 against Gauff, with pion Iga Swiatek or 2019 US Open champion Clijsters, Billie Jean Open and US Open women’s singles titles their first meeting, in the third round of the in the title match. King and Margaret in the same year since Stadium 2018 US Open, ending in a memorable tear- Osaka has put together a formidable re- opened in 1997: Martina Hingis, winner of ful embrace. cord at the US Open, winning 17 of her last Court Smith for fourth the stadium’s inaugural women’s final, and Their most recent match took place ear- 18 US Open matches, including victories in place on the Open era five years ago. lier this month at the Western & Southern the final over Grand Slam champions Ser- Naomi Osaka is looking to join their ex- Open in Cincinnati, where Osaka emerged ena Williams (2018) and Azarenka list for most singles clusive company at the 2021 US Open. Win- with the victory in three tight sets. (2020). championships — she ner of the US Open in 2018 and 2020, she In the quarterfinals, Osaka could take A third singles title at the US Open in would also be halfway captured the Australian Open for the second on , the No. 5 seed, or former New York would not only tie her with Kim time in her career in February. The 23-year- world No. 1 , who is seeded Clijsters, Billie Jean King and Margaret toward matching the old Osaka is seeded third at the 2021 US 12th. Court Smith for fourth place on the Open record of six titles won Open, and her journey through the bottom Awaiting Osaka in the semifinals might era list for most singles championships — by and half of the draw could very well turn into a be No. 2 seed or Barbora she would also be halfway toward matching steady march toward her third US Open title Krejcikova, the No. 8 seed and the year’s the record of six titles won by Chris Evert Serena Williams. in four years. breakout star with her crowns in both sin- and Williams, that much closer to equaling The competition could become espe- gles and doubles at Roland Garros. ’s total of five and within one of cially noteworthy for Osaka beginning in Top-seeded , seeking to Martina Navratilova’s four crowns. the Round of 16. There, the Japanese star win back-to-back titles at Wimbledon and History, perhaps, awaits.