By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Sunday, June 11, 2023
Peaking in Paris inspires Novak Djokovic to scale another major summit in the sport.
Moments after Djokovic conquered Casper Ruud 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5 in the Roland Garros final today to capture his men’s record 23 major championship, he shared his goal for the rest of the season: win the calendar Grand Slam.
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The man who owns three of the four major titles is aiming to make more massive history and become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to complete the calendar Grand Slam.
If Djokovic completes the calendar Slam it would also propel him past Margaret Court as the undisputed Grand Slam ruler with 25 major championships.
“I keep growing and I look forward to the next Grand Slam already.,” Djokovic told NBC’s Maria Taylor moments after winning his third French Open championship to become the oldest men’s singles champion in Roland Garros history.
“Definitely Wimbledon and the US Open are the two big ones the rest of this season that I really want to do well.
“Of course, when you are on a high when you are feeling invincible on the Grand Slam courts you want to keep going, you want to carry that run. No one is invincible, of course, but the more you win the more confident you feel.
“I want to carry this into London. I won the last four Wimbledons in a row, so I look forward to more competitions, but I’ll enjoy it first.”
Two years ago, Djokovic nearly pulled off the improbable coming within one win of the 2021 calendar Grand Slam until Daniil Medvedev defeated a depleted Djokovic in the 2021 US Open final.
“Mamba Mentality, Kobe Bryant.”
Novak Djokovic shares what was going through his mind before today’s final at #RolandGarros. pic.twitter.com/nIRUb7O58S
— NBC Sports (@NBCSports) June 11, 2023
Every elite champion has a vision and Djokovic said he prepared for today’s final tuning into the mantra of his former mentor, the late, Lakers star Kobe Bryant envisioning this historic victory before realizing it.
“Mamba mentality—Kobe Bryant—you know it’s going to happen already before it actually happens,” Djokovic told NBC’s Maria Taylor. “So I truly believe in that power and mental power, projecting your thoughts and creating your future.
“Easy to talk now but I was really, really believing to my core that I can achieve these limits, actually there are no limits.”
“One GOAT to another.” 🐐
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