Sports Monday, August 30, 2021 15 Winning calendar Grand Slam 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 Rod Laver in Ash Barty of Australia during her match with Sara Sorribes Tormo of 1969 to complete the slam yourself in a unique Spain at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics in July, 2021. sweep if he wins the US Open, position to win Grand having already conquered the Slams and to make Australian Open, French Open history. At the end of and Wimbledon in 2021. Relaxed Ash The world number one the day, I’m a big tennis would be just the third man to fan, (a) fan of history. I win all four majors in the same year after Don Budge 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 Roger Federer use it. foot forward and Rafael Nadal, who will both miss the Flushing Mead- Novak Djokovic 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 New York, 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 China Open 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 Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in the Queens borough of New York City. (Getty Images/AFP) here, which would obviously professional cricket). 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 Naomi Osaka or body was going to respond, so history at the US Open. She could become the ninth 2019 and 2021, as well as the Simone Biles 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, Martina Navratilova, Steffi Alexander Zverev was beaten headlines, I hope that they are play some of my best tennis number one would also go be- Graf, Martina Hingis, Venus Wil- by Dominic Thiem in his maiden making the right decisions for when it mattered most. yond Roger Federer and Ra- liams and Serena Williams 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 Germany’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.