Rod ‘the Rocket’ Laver was the last man to win the grand slam in 1969, the incredible achievement of winning all four slams in a calendar year.
He did it twice, having accomplished it seven years earlier in 1962. According to Federer, he is the greatest of all time – though Laver will tell you it’s Federer.
Novak Djokovic is just one French Open away from holding all four slams at once. The Djokovic Slam. Just seven months ago he had slumped to a world ranking of 21 and was losing to nobodies like Taro Daniels, Benoit Paire and Martin Klizan. It’s been a truly remarkable turnaround. He already has one Djokovic Slam to his name, in 2016 after winning his first French Open.
When Laver won his grand slams three slams were played on grass and the French slam was played on clay. They’re now played on three different surfaces: two on hardcourt, one on clay and one on grass. When Novak completed the Djokovic Slam he became the first player to hold all four slams on three different surfaces.
Not since Seabiscuit vs War Admiral has there been more of a two horse race than this year’s French Open. Nadal is the rightful king of clay and favourite once again, but he isn’t getting any younger, and judging by the number of hardcourt tournaments he withdrew from last year, his body seems to be finally catching up with him.
There’s no question that Nadal at full fitness is unbeatable in over five sets on the Parisian dirt, but I don’t think we’ll see that Nadal at the French Open this year, which gives Djokovic an amazing opportunity to win the tournament – even Federer’s thrown his hat into the ring this year – of achieving his second Djokovic Slam in four years.
If Djokovic comes away with the French Open, the only thing stopping him from winning the grand slam is what’s between his ears. If he can produce the same belief as the 2015 season – then he scored 82 wins, six losses, three slam victories and was runner-up at the French Open – then anything is possible.
It’s early days, but if this 50-year-old record gets broken, then Djokovic could be the next GOAT.
Max Stannard
Roar Rookie
Thanks for the comment. I don’t really see why Djokovic needs to evolve at the moment. If I was him I’d keep doing whatever he’s been doing the last 8 months. Agree that any of those top players on their day could beat Djokovic (Thiem, Warwinka, Anderson, Cilic, del Porto). But they’re only going to play a couple of matches a year ‘in the zone’ and the chances of playing Novak at the same time in a slam are pretty slim. I’ve been waiting for the next gen of players to step up over the last three or so years and so far the only guy to do so on a consistent basis is World No 3 Zverev (21 years old). Though in the slams his results have been disappointing. A quarterfinal at last year’s French Open is his best result. Tomic made quarterfinals of Wimbledon when he was 19 years old. The next gen players can sustain a high level of intensity for a couple of sets but to sustain it over best of five is a completely different proposition. It’s physically and mentally exhausting. You can train as long as you like but nothing can prepare you mentally for a five setter with Novak, Roger or Rafa. Over the last decade (40 slams) the only players to win outside the big 3 have been; Murray (3), Warwinka (3), del Porto (1) and Cilic (1). There has to be a changing of the guard sooner or later but I’m tipping the big three to pick up the rest of this years slams.
Brian
Guest
I'd still give Rafa 50% against Djokovic on clay. Rafa had the totally wrong game plan in the final he was way too agressive and he was never going to have the array of winners to beat Djokovic's defensive game. In the 3rd set he finally returned to his natural and more defensive game which was still behind Djokoivc on the rebound ace. On clay he will loop his forehand and play that way from set one. Thiem and Schwartzman could also beat either of them on the clay if things fall their way.
Barney
Roar Rookie
Sorry I don’t agree. 2019 is totally different circumstances to previous Djokovic peak years. Nadal is the obvious favourite for the French unless he is against Djokovic. Djokovic has never found Nadal unbeatable on clay even in Nadal’s best years. However, there are far more players capable of taking out Djokovic than Nadal on clay. Players such as Thiem, Wawrinka and any number of the top youngsters such as Zverev, Khachanov, Medvedev etc They may not quite be slam winners yet but more importantly, Djokovic has found them far from pushovers. Back to Djokovic, I would be very surprised if he had another spell of invincibility let alone a calendar slam. His game is tactically not very mysterious even if he is the best ever at it. So it’s realistic that the new young generation could be training single mindedly to go toe to toe with Djokovic for 10 hours. They are mentally unscarred, talented, fit and hungrily lining up. Unlike previous generations, the landscape is a lot simpler as they won’t need to bother with too old Federer (just outlast him), half season Nadal (just avoid him) or even effectively retired Murray. Can Djokovic evolve and how long can he hold them back?
nihal bhat
Guest
djoker in ao form will beat nadal on RG clay. so it depends on his form.
Max Stannard
Roar Rookie
Cheers mate! Should make for an interesting French
Kieran Kirk
Roar Rookie
Totally agree. Djokovic was formidable at the Australian Open and it will take a seriously bad day from Novak for him to lose. Even someone else having an amazing day won't be enough.