US Open 2021: Last Grand Slam Of The Year Begins Today, Djokovic Eyes Calendar Year Grand Slam

US Open 2021: If Djokovic wins the title then he will have the record of completing the "Calendar Year Grand Slam" after 52 years. The great tennis player Rod Laver achieved this feat in 1969. 

Image: Twitter/ @DjokerNole

US Open 2021: The last Grand Slam of this year, US Open will begin from today. The entire world will have their eyes upon Serbia's Novak Djokovic. He is the  number one seed in the tournament and a strong contender for the title. If Djokovic wins this tournament, he will have two special records to his name. Djokovic has won three Grand Slams at the start of the year. If he is able to achieve this victory then after a gap of 52 years he will have the record of completing "Calendar Year Grand Slam" to his name. The great tennis player Rod Laver of Australia achieved the feat in 1969. 

Djokovic will also be eyeing the 21st Grand Slam title of his career. Novak will be ahead of Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer in winning the most Grand Slams if he wins the title here. All three of them have won 20 Grand Slam titles. Both Nadal and Federer have withdrawn their name from the tournament this year. In the women's singles, defending champion Naomi Osaka of Japan will be eyeing her third US Open and fifth grand slam title of her career. 

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Novak Djokovic's quest for the calendar-year Grand Slam begins with a practice on Ashe. pic.twitter.com/wwg9QWjGpr

— US Open Tennis (@usopen) August 23, 2021

The path to the record victory may be easier for Djokovic this year  

On the US Open, Djokovic said, "I know I have a very special and big chance in front of me. I'm ready to exhibit my best game. This opportunity that I have got to create a record inspires me to show my finest game. Many top players are not participating this year, which could make it easier for Djokovic to win the title here. At the same time, he said, "I had always dreamt of doing something big in sports. I am glad that I am getting a chance to complete all of it in a single year."

Several big names including Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, defending champion Dominic Thiem, Stan Wawrinka and Juan Martin del Potro have withdrawn from the US Open this year. Djokovic will face second seeded Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Olympic champion Alexander Zverev in the challenge.  

"The kind of tennis Djokovic has played this year is amazing," said legendary tennis player Nadal. I sincerely hope that by winning the US open he will have these huge records to his name."

Rod Levar completed 'Calendar Year Grand Slam' twice

Legendary tennis player Rod Laver of Australia has completed the feat of achieving the 'Calendar Year Grand Slam'twice He achieved this milestone in 1962 and 1969. Apart from Rod Laver, American tennis player Don Budge was the first to complete the 'Calendar Year Grand Slam' in 1938. Four Grand Slams are played every year. These include the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open. Whoever wins all these Grand Slams in a calendar year has a special record of completing the 'Calendar Year Grand Slam' registered in his name. 

Rod Laver hoisting the trophy after winning the 1969 US Open.

Laver completed the Calendar Year Grand Slam for the second time (1962), but it was the 1st for any player in the Open Era.

📸: Getty Images pic.twitter.com/W3fVCAcRiA

— Tennis Historian (@HistorianTennis) August 4, 2021

Djokovic will play his first match on September 1 

Djokovic will open the campaign at the US Open on September 1. His path to the quarterfinals looks quite easy. He will take on sixth seeded Berraettini in the quarterfinal. He might have to face Zverev in the semi final.