Former World No. 2 Alex Corretja has predicted that Novak Djokovic will have a clean slate at the upcoming US Open. The two-time French Open runner-up feels Djokovic will bounce back stronger after a disappointing campaign at the Tokyo Olympics and it will serve as a great motivation for the World No.1.
Meanwhile, Djokovic was beaten in the Tokyo Olympics semifinal by Germany’s Alexander Zverev, who eventually went on to win the Gold Medal. Thus, Djokovic’s 22 match winning streak was broken by the German. In fact, the Serbian also lost the Bronze Medal match against Spain’s Pablo Carreno Busta in three sets and the frustration was palpable from the World No. 1.
However, there is no doubt that Djokovic will be hungry for the Calendar slam after missing out on the opportunity to claim the Golden slam. But the Serbian has shown doubts about his fitness for the US Open after his disappointing Olympics campaign.
“Now he (Djokovic) needs to rest and recover because he has [taken] a hit [at the Olympics]. New York is one month away and we will see if he plays any tournaments [before the US Open], but he has shown that mentally he is a rock,” the Spaniard told Radio Marca.
“The motivation to win the 21st [Grand Slam] for the record in September will be so great that it will make a clean slate. Djokovic will continue to win Grand Slams because he is out of the ordinary.”
Meanwhile, Djokovic was defaulted from the 2020 US Open during his Round 3 match against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini. Djokovic had unintentionally hit the line umpire with the ball and thus he was knocked out of the tournament.
Djokovic has been in sublime form as he has already won Australian Open, French Open and the Wimbledon in the ongoing season. Ergo, he will look to clinch the US Open, and join Rod Laver and Don Budge as the only players to win the Calendar slam.
