In 2021, Novak Djokovic came agonisingly close to completing arguably the most difficult feat in all of tennis: the Calendar Grand Slam.

Since the beginning of the Open Era in 1968, only one man has managed to win all four Grand Slam titles in a single season: Rod Laver. The Australian legend did so in 1969 by clinching his 11th and last major crown at the US Open that year.

Five seasons ago, Djokovic became the first man since Laver to win the first three Grand Slams of the year, and went into the 2021 US Open as the first seed and overwhelming favourite.

Novak Djokovic’s reflection on the missed opportunity in 2021

Djokovic advanced to the final after overcoming the likes of Kei Nishikori, Matteo Berrettini and Alexander Zverev, and was met with second seed Daniil Medvedev in the championship match. Medvedev, who had lost his first Grand Slam final at the US Open two years prior, did not squander his opportunity this time and beat the Serb in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Two months later, Djokovic got revenge against Medvedev by beating the Russian in the final of the 2021 Paris Masters. After the win, he was asked if beating his US Open conqueror made up in any way for the disappointment of being denied the Calendar Grand Slam.

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“I mean, I already closed that chapter, to be honest,” Djokovic replied in a press conference. “I’m not regretting it, really. I’m not spending days suffering because I didn’t take the calendar slam this year. I’m very relieved that the calendar, that the Grand Slam season, was done, because I felt a tremendous pressure unlike anything I felt in my life.

“So, you know, it was an interesting experience, and I’m very satisfied with the way I played in Grand Slams, three wins and a final. I mean, there is much more positive things to be, you know, grateful for and to look at than negative.

“I moved on from that and focused on the Masters events, and here in Bercy, and I did what I came here to do, which is, you know, clinch the year-end No. 1 and win the trophy. So that’s where my attention is at the moment, and I’m just very pleased to do that.”

Novak Djokovic said he had ‘no negative feelings’ about US Open

Djokovic continued: “I’m over and done with Grand Slams with this year. I have no negative feelings about it. There are a lot of positive elements to focus on.

“I won three Grand Slams, I actually played a final in New York. It’s not the ideal scenario, I did not win the final against Medvedev, but I felt relieved at the end, because there was so much pressure, immense pressure on my shoulders. Never have I lived such pressure throughout my career.

“Once again, I have just wrapped up the season being No. 1 worldwide. That was my main objective for this last part of the season, and I’m very proud of it. I’m very satisfied, very happy about it.

“We still have a lot of years to come, and I’ll certainly have the opportunity to win Grand Slams. The situation is different. I’m not young anymore, as Medvedev and the next gen is. But I feel good. I’m motivated, and I want to make progress again.”

Djokovic came close to completing the Calendar Grand Slam in 2023, having won the Australian Open, Roland Garros and the US Open, but lost the Wimbledon final to Carlos Alcaraz.