By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Saturday September 11, 2021
Now that Novak Djokovic is one victory away from becoming the first male player to win the Calendar Slam since 1969, the World No.1 says he is ready to go all-in on winning the title.
“I'm going to treat this match as it's my last one because it's arguably the most important one of my career maybe,” he told reporters after his five-set win over Alexander Zverev. “Maybe not, I don't know. But of this year, for sure.”
The 20-time major champion will face Russia’s Daniil Medvedev with history on the line. If Djokovic wins he will become the first man to ever win 21 major titles and achieve a feat that neither of his Big 3 peers had ever come close to.
It’s a lot to process, and Djokovic has been focusing on simplifying his mental approach to his run. He does not want to engage in too much talk about the Calendar Slam, and he has been frank with reporters about his desire just to live in his bubble until the tournament ends.
“I'm just trying to lock into what I know works for me,” he said. “I have my routines, I have my people. I isolate myself. I gather all the necessary energy for the next battle, only the next match, the next match.”
Djokovic hasn’t just been a focused athlete on court, it is clear that he is putting every ounce of his being into getting the best of himself in New York. That includes avoiding distractions, unwanted stress, and keeping his mind free as he recharges his batteries between matches.
So far, so good. The Serb has been tested early and often in this tournament, and he has had to rely on his experience, mental prowess, and poise to get through. He will look for more of the same on Sunday when he faces 2019 runner-up Medvedev in what could be his toughest test yet.
“I'll be giving it all I possibly got in the tank to win this match,” he said. “I'm focusing on recovery, recalibrating all the systems basically for Sunday. I'm not going to waste time or energy on anything that can just be a distraction and deplete me from the vital energy that I need for Sunday.”