Djokovic remains on course for calendar slam with Wimbledon win

Gulf Today Report

Serbian ace player Novak Djokovic rallied to beat Italy’s Matteo Berrettini 6-7(4) 6-4 6-4 6-3 for his sixth Wimbledon title on Sunday. With the victory, he reached the milestone of 20th Grand Slam title.

Novak Djokovic presents his tennis racquet to a young fan in London. AP

He also equaled the men’s record of the most number of Grand Slam titles.

Switzerland’s Roger Federer and Spaniard Rafael Nadal are the two other players of the open era who have procured the same number of titles.

Novak Djokovic takes a selfie with a fan (L) and celebrates with his team after defeating Matteo Berrettini. AFP

After winning the match, the Serbian star said, it was more than a battle. Brerettini is a true Italian hammer I felt it on my skin. It means none of us three will stop. Roger and Rafa are legends they are the reason I am where I am today, said Djokovic.

Novak Djokovic celebrates with the trophy alongside Matteo Berrettini. Reuters

Berrettini, the first Italian to reach a Wimbledon final, said that Novak is a great player and he is writing history on this court. He added that it is not the end it is the beginning for me. Without my family, friends and team all this would not have been possible so I just say Grazie Grazie.

Djokovic also kept the hopes of his calendar slam alive after his victory at Wimbledon. The world number one started the stellar year with the victory at the Australian Open – the first Grand Slam of the year -- and followed it up with another win at the French Open barely a month ago remained on course for a calendar slam.

Novak Djokovic celebrates winning against Matteo Berrettini. AFP

Should he win the US Open later this year, he will become only the second person in the history of the game to do so after Lod Laver of Australia, who achieved the feat twice in 1962 and 1969.

Prior to that, US tennis great Don Budge won a calendar slam but that was way back in 1937, before the Open Era.

The Open Era began in 1968, when the professional players were allowed to compete with the amateurs at the Grand Slam tourneys.