Former Australian tennis player Todd Woodbridge believes that a Calendar Golden Slam is well on the cards for Novak Djokovic. He feels that the Serb is the favourite to win at Wimbledon, US Open and even the gold medal in the Tokyo Olympics.
The Calendar Golden Slam is a rare feat where a player manages to win all four Majors along with the Gold medal at the Olympics. it is a feat that has been achieved only by the great Steffi Graff. The feat is so rare that only just three other players- Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal and Andre Agassi have won the Career Golden Slam, winning the four titles in their career.
Woodbridge feels that Djokovic can pull it off given the kind of quality and resilience that he showed to win the Roland Garros. “The Golden Slam – it is very much on the cards, there is no doubt about that,” Woodbridge said on Sports Sunday. “What Novak managed to produce in Paris, in two comebacks from two sets to love down, is some of the best mental stuff you’ll ever see.”
Woodbridge, who is great in doubles, praised the World No.1’s comeback against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the finals. He was two sets down and yet he showed great courage and determination to turn it around. Woodbridge feels that Djokovic will carry the confidence from the clay court to grass court and is a firm favourite at Wimbledon as well.
“That final, to come back against [Stefanos] Tsitsipas, a fantastic effort from him,” Woodbridge said. “And he’s just freshening up, he’s down in Mallorca on grass courts getting ready as his preparation for Wimbledon. He most definitely goes in a heavy, heavy favourite for Wimbledon.”
The former tennis player admits that 19-time Grand Slam winner does not show the best attitude on the court. But he also likes how Djokovic channels all his frustrations through his game play which results in him winning titles.
“Now, he does get a bit gnarly at times on court but he’s an athlete that’s able to focus that into what he needs to do to get the result done,” Woodbridge said.
Djokovic is currently preparing to feature in the doubles event at the Mallorca Open. He is paired up with Spanish player Carlos Gómez-Herrera.
