Djokovic not thinking about calendar Slam, but says: ´Everything is achievable´

Novak Djokovic outlined an intention to bask in the glory of his maiden French Open success before setting new targets, but responded to questions about a potential calendar-year Grand Slam by stating: “Everything is achievable in life”.

The world number one cemented his status as the dominant figure in men’s tennis on Sunday by finally tasting success at Roland Garros, courtesy of a 3-6 6-1 6-2 6-4 final victory over second seed Andy Murray.

In addition to becoming the eighth man to win all four grand slams, the Serbian is now the reigning champion at each event and halfway towards emulating Rod Laver by completing a clean sweep of major titles in one year.

Laver won the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and US Open in 1969. Asked if a similar achievement is something he will now strive for, Djokovic replied: “Well, I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I really think everything is achievable in life.

“Winning this trophy today gave me so much happiness and fulfillment. I’m trying to grasp and I’m trying to cherish these moments right now.

“Whether or not I can reach a calendar slam, that’s still a possibility. But I don’t think about it right now. Right now I just try to enjoy this experience of winning the trophy that I never won before.”

Djokovic is the first man since Laver to hold all four grand slam titles at once.

“It’s incredibly flattering to know that Rod Laver is the last one that managed to do that, of course,” he added.

“There is not many words that can describe it. It’s one of the ultimate challenges that you have as a tennis player.

“I’m very proud, very thrilled, obviously. But it’s hard for me to reflect on what has happened before and what’s gonna happen after. I’m just so overwhelmed with having this trophy next to me that I’m just trying to enjoy this moment.”

After losing four straight games on the way to slipping a set down against Murray, Djokovic soon seized control and served for the championship at 5-2 in the fourth.

A brief wobble followed as the top seed dropped serve and then spurned two match points in his next service game, but Djokovic was not to be denied.

“I needed a little bit of time to really find the right rhythm and start to play the way I intended, which happened in the beginning of the second and practically till 5-2 in the fourth set. It was flawless tennis,” said Djokovic.

“I really felt like I played on a high quality, putting a lot of pressure on Andy’s serves and just trying to hang in there.

“I didn’t feel too much pressure [serving for the match], honestly. Maybe I took things a bit too lightly and, you know, just played a loose game at 5-2. Andy encouraged himself each point to come back and fight through, which he did.

“Then 5-4 obviously, 40-15, [they were] two close points. We’re all humans and arriving so close like never before in my life to this trophy and winning it, you know, I felt it. I felt the tension and excitement, all the emotions. You name it.”