PARIS: Novak Djokovic can become the first man in 52 years to win all four Grand Slam titles twice in the French Open final on Sunday (13th of June, 2021) after conquering Rafael Nadal, the ‘Mount Everest’ of Roland Garros.
World number one Djokovic takes on Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas for the title with tennis history on the line. Victory for the Serb will take him alongside Roy Emerson and Rod Laver as the only men to capture the four majors more than once. It’s an achievement that has proved even beyond the capabilities of Nadal and Roger Federer.
It is so rare an accomplishment that it hasn’t happened since 1969 when Laver completed his second calendar Grand Slam. Djokovic can pocket a 19th Slam with victory and move just one behind the record of 20 jointly held by Nadal and Federer. Djokovic insists there will be no letdown physically or emotionally after reaching the final in Paris for a sixth time with an epic triumph over 13-time champion Nadal.
“It’s not the first time that I play an epic semi-final in a Grand Slam and then I have to come back in less than 48 hours and play finals,” said the 34-year-old. “My recovery abilities have been pretty good throughout my career.” His four-hour, four-set battle with Nadal is already jostling for a prime spot in the list of “greatest ever matches” at the Slams. Meanwhile, 25-year-old Barbora Krejcikova won her maiden Grand Slam singles title at the French Open on Saturday (12th of June, 2021), beating Russia’s Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova to become the first Czech woman in 40 years to conquer Roland Garros before dedicating her victory to former Wimbledon champion Jana Novotna who died four years ago. Krejcikova, ranked 33 in the world and playing just her fifth main draw in a Slams singles event, triumphed 6-1, 2-6, 6-4 for a second career title.
The 25-year-old emulates compatriot Hana Mandlikova who claimed the trophy in Paris in 1981. “It’s hard to put into words. I cannot believe I have just won a Grand Slam,” said Krejcikova who was still outside the top 100 when the 2020 French Open took place last October.
“I spent a lot of time with Jana before she died. Her last words to me were ‘enjoy tennis and try and win a Grand Slam’.
“I know she’s looking after me. All this is pretty much because she is looking after me.
“It was amazing that I got the chance to meet her. She was such an inspiration. I miss her and I hope she’s really happy,” added Krejcikova.
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