Victorious of his sixth title at Wimbledon on Sunday, Serbian Novak Djokovic equaled the record number of 20 Grand Slam victories co-owned by Switzerland's Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal.
The world number one has every chance to achieve new exploits and reach the top of world tennis alone.
A mess of feats that command the admiration of all, including his main adversaries.
Serbian Novak Djokovic joined Swiss Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal on Sunday with 20 Grand Slam titles on the clock, after his victory over Italian Matteo Berrettini in the Wimbledon final (6-7 [4], 6-4 , 6-4, 6-3).
An inexorable rise for the world number one, who had only one major title at the start of 2011. Little by little, and despite a status of player unloved by the public, the native of Belgrade has shone almost everywhere he has passed to make history alongside the two other legends he has known since his beginnings.
Congrats Novak on your 20th major.
I'm proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of tennis champions.
Wonderful performance, well done!
- Roger Federer (@rogerfederer) July 11, 2021
Even Roger Federer congratulated him on joining the elite of world tennis with his twentieth major title.
“I am proud to have the opportunity to play in a special era of champions,” the “Maestro” wrote on Twitter.
At 34, Novak Djokovic already has first choice records in his purse.
After Wimbledon, the formidable raiser retained his place as world number one for the 329th week of his career, an absolute feat on the men's circuit.
By winning Roland Garros last June, Djokovic also became the first to win all major tournaments at least twice since Rod Laver and Roy Emerson at the start of the Open era in 1968.
But this mad race for records is far from over for the "Djoker", who wants more to write the history of tennis and be "the best player" of all time.
Now focused on Grand Slam tournaments after winning all Masters 1000 at least twice, again a first in history, the Serbian is aiming for other monumental feats to further improve his grip on his contemporary and historical rivals .
1. Exceed 20 Grand Slam titles
The first of all the performances that Novak Djokovic must achieve obviously remains the number of trophies acquired in Grand Slams. A reference number to designate the greatest player of all time. With 20 titles, the Serbian now co-holds the record on the men's circuit alongside Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. An already monumental result while in the early 2000s, no specialist thought that the 14 major titles of the American Pete Sampras would be beaten anytime soon. It's done, and the world number one can go further from the next US Open at the end of August-beginning of September with the 21st Grand Slam title, the absolute record.
If the Serbian does not lose efficiency over the next few years, he could also join Australia's Margaret Court and her 24 major trophies to mark tennis history even more.
2. Successfully complete the calendar Grand Slam
Beyond being able to exceed the number of Major titles at the next US Open, Novak Djokovic can become the first player to triumph in the four major tournaments of a season and achieve the calendar Grand Slam.
A feat Australian Rod Laver accomplished in the Open era in 1969. Roger Federer has never won more than three majors in a season.
If the Serb wins his seven matches in New York, he can build on this performance to further stand out from the Swiss.
The native of Belgrade can also surpass another record, that of the number of appearances in the final of a Major held by Federer (31 against 30 for Djokovic).
3. The objective of the Golden Slam?
What if the world number one wins at the Tokyo Olympics (July 23-August 8)? With the four major titles of the circuit, a gold medal on August 1 would give him the opportunity to make the "Golden Slam". A feat that only the German Steffi Graf managed to complete in 1988. But Novak Djokovic wonders about his participation: "" My plans have always been to participate in the Olympics. But now, I am a little divided. It's 50/50 because of what I've been hearing for two days, "he said after his victory at Wimbledon, especially because of the closed session decided by the Japanese authorities. Also see if the number a world will feel physically ready to compete in the Olympic tennis tournament, which runs from July 24 to August 1.
4. Win as many titles as possible in the same major tournament
By winning Wimbledon for the sixth time, "Nole" is getting closer to his Swiss rival Roger Federer who has eight victories on London turf.
At 34, and with a physical still attack, the Serbian can aim higher and dethrone the record holder of titles in London.
A sensational performance that could eclipse the Maestro, adored by British fans.
In the same vein, the Djoker can become the first player to win all the Grand Slams three times in the event of a new victory in Paris.
He also has the opportunity to improve his number of victories at the Australian Open (9) to strengthen his grip on his favorite major tournament, like Rafael Nadal's 13 titles at Roland Garros.
The Grand Slam titles of Novak Djokovic:
9 Australian Open
2 Roland Garros
6 Wimbledon
3 US Open
5. Winning at Wimbledon for the sixth consecutive time
Novak Djokovic won the Wimbledon tournament for the third time in a row on July 11, 2021. Despite a 2020 edition canceled due to the pandemic, the Serbian could equal or even exceed the five consecutive triumphs of Swede Bjorn Borg (1976 to 1980) and Roger Federer (2003 to 2007) in the years to come, and put his name in a row for the sixth time in the winner's table.
In summary, the Serbian still has many challenges to accomplish in his career to aspire to the honorary title of the greatest tennis player of all time.