Three ATP Players Novak Djokovic Claimed Were “Very Close” to Winning a Grand Slam in 2021
Three ATP Players Novak Djokovic Claimed Were “Very Close” to Winning a Grand Slam in 2021
Novak Djokovic probably understands better than anyone what it takes to win a Grand Slam title. With 24 Grand Slam titles, including a record 10 Australian Open championships, he has solidified his place in tennis history.
At Australian Open 2025, Djokovic aimed for his 11th Melbourne title but was forced to retire in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev due to injury. This means his quest to extend his Grand Slam dominance will have to wait until Roland Garros.
Although Djokovic missed the Davis Cup qualifiers due to a hamstring injury, he has received positive news about his recovery, which is progressing faster than expected.
As Djokovic enters the later stages of his legendary career, the door is opening for younger players to step up in the Grand Slam race. This brings us back to 2021, when Djokovic highlighted three young players who were on the verge of winning a Grand Slam after his ninth Australian Open victory.
Three Players Djokovic Believed Were “Very Close” to a Grand Slam in 2021
At the 2021 Australian Open final, Djokovic defeated Daniil Medvedev in straight sets. At the time, Medvedev was just 24 years old, the same age at which Djokovic had already won six Grand Slam titles.
After the match, Djokovic was asked why the younger generation hadn’t been able to break through as he, Federer, and Nadal had done at their age. He responded:
“They definitely have the quality to win Grand Slam titles. They have proven it. Dominic Thiem won the US Open. It’s only a matter of time before Medvedev, Zverev, and Tsitsipas lift a Grand Slam trophy.”
Djokovic also emphasized that the dominance of the Big Three (Djokovic, Nadal, Federer) at Grand Slams had made it more challenging for the younger players to break through.
From 2021 to Now: Who Has Conquered a Grand Slam?
– Daniil Medvedev: Following Djokovic’s prediction, Medvedev made history by winning the 2021 US Open, defeating Djokovic in the final and denying him a Calendar Grand Slam.
– Alexander Zverev: To this day, Zverev has yet to claim his first Grand Slam title, despite reaching deep into multiple major tournaments, including the semifinals of Roland Garros 2024 and Australian Open 2025.
– Stefanos Tsitsipas: Although he reached the 2021 Roland Garros final, Tsitsipas has yet to win a Grand Slam and has struggled with consistency.
Looking back at Djokovic’s 2021 prediction, only Medvedev has fulfilled the Grand Slam dream. Meanwhile, Zverev and Tsitsipas are still searching for their breakthrough moment.
Was Djokovic Right in His Prediction?
With the next generation of tennis stars emerging, will players like Jannik Sinner, Carlos Alcaraz, and Holger Rune surpass Zverev and Tsitsipas to dominate the sport?
The answer may come at Roland Garros 2025, where Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, while the younger generation is eager to dethrone the Serbian legend!
