(*Numbers in parentheses signify ATP ranking.)
The sport of tennis has massively improved over the course of the past 21 years, showcasing what many people call the golden age of the game. That said, a title similarly named is something tennis fans haven’t seen since 1988: the coveted “golden slam.”
A golden slam is the completion of a calendar year, claiming every grand slam singles title plus the gold medal at that year’s Olympic Games. This accomplishment (only possible during Olympic years) has been completed once by a player: Steffi Graf, who accomplished that in 1988. The seemingly impossible title has been back in the news lately, as one man has shockingly vaulted his way toward contention.
Novak Djokovic (one) is currently playing at a level of tennis that few throughout the course of tennis history could match. He has won the first two grand slam events (Australian Open and French Open singles titles) of 2021, and is currently the favourite for the grass court championship of Wimbledon. The hardcourt specialist will certainly be the favourite of the U.S. Open as well, so that leaves one potential roadblock: the 2021 Olympic Games. However, Djokovic will likely be the favourite for every remaining tournament he plays during the 2021 season.
It’s not a done deal, though, as many serious contenders await the 19-time grand slam champion, but some shocking pullouts have made that road significantly different. Rafael Nadal (three), Dominic Thiem (five), and David Goffin (16) have pulled out of this year’s Wimbledon tournament, and Nadal has already decided to not play this year’s Olympic Games. Djokovic’s main challenge for this year’s Wimbledon will be the older, storied champion Roger Federer. The record-holding eight-time Wimbledon champion has set his legacy as the greatest grass player ever, and he even pulled out of the French Open, surprisingly, with no disclosed injury during the leadup to this year’s Wimbledon, presumably a sign that he has committed to making Wimbledon his priority. However, Djokovic defeated Federer at the last held Wimbledon tournament in 2019.
If Federer cannot stop Djokovic on grass, 2021 could be the year of the first ever men’s golden slam. Unless a different hero emerges, the ‘Djoker’ might be on his way to his record-tying twentieth grand slam at this year’s Wimbledon, leaving the gold medal and a U.S. Open championship as all that remain on his quest to match Steffi Graf.
