‘Novak Djokovic will need new motivation after breaking Slam record’, says analyst

A renowned analyst has backed Novak Djokovic to break the men’s Grand Slam record and thinks the Serbian will need to “reset his goals” when he does.

Former world number four Greg Rusedski believes Djokovic will experience “the most pressure he’s ever had” as he seeks to make history at the 2021 US Open.

World number one Djokovic is aiming to win a record-breaking 21st men’s major singles title to move clear of rivals Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer.

The 34-year-old is also looking to become the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to win a Calendar Grand Slam – having claimed the year’s first three majors.

“This is going to be the most pressure he’s ever had in his career coming in [to a tournament], this is huge expectation [and] pressure,” Rusedski told Express Sport.

“Also, he lost in the Olympics to [Alexander] Zverev – and he (Zverev) has some belief – and [Daniil] Medvedev has some belief. If he can win this one, he can win 25 slams – the most of all time.

“There is still that huge, huge drive. When he gets to 21 and if he wins the Calendar Slam, that will be fascinating in 2022 [to see] where the motivation is because now he holds all the records.

“He’s got to find something else to motivate him – ‘Do I want to be the [player with the] most Slams, men and women?’. So he’s got to reset his goals if he does that.”

Djokovic will face Tallon Griekspoor in the second round of the US Open today. He saw off Holger Rune in four sets on Tuesday.

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