PARIS — The last time a men’s tennis player held all Grand Slams at once, Richard Nixon was the president, the Beatles were still together and the United States had landed on the moon a month earlier.
Suffice it to say: It’s been a while.
Putting into context what Novak Djokovic did on Sunday at the French Open is a complicated process: He completed the career Grand Slam and became the first man to win the Australian Open, French Open, Wimbledon and U.S. Open in a 12-month span since Rod Laver in 1969.
“If people recognize where Roger Federer is in the pantheon of tennis players and what he’s achieved, you can say to them, ‘This is something Roger hasn’t been able to do.’ I think that’s a statement,” Jim Courier, a former world No. 1, told USA TODAY Sports. “It’s already a statement enough when the last time it was done in men’s tennis was 1969. What Novak has done and is doing warrants a big jaw drop from sports fans.”
Djokovic dropped 14,000 jaws inside Court Philippe Chatrier, a four-set winner over world No. 2 Andy Murray. It was a victory that further cemented him as the best current tennis player in the world, and it reignited the discussion: Is he the best ever?
Djokovic is halfway to the calendar Grand Slam — winning all of tennis’ majors in the same calendar year — after his victory at Roland Garros. Courier was the last to win the first two majors consecutively in men’s tennis in 1992.
Djokovic continues to sneak up on Federer (17), Rafael Nadal (14) and Pete Sampras (14) in the major-titles column. His count: 12.
“He is getting close to Federer and close to Nadal,” said one of his coaches, Marián Vajda. “He is one of the best players [in history]. This is a very, very special Grand Slam to win. We’ll see what the future brings. I don’t know if he can get to 17, but he is at 12, so this is an important time to enjoy.”
At one point in his career, Djokovic said he rued the fact that he was a part of the Federer-Nadal era. Flailing and frustrated, he was left wondering if he would ever break through the ceiling that Roger and Rafa had so carefully built.
“I realized that in life, everything happens for a reason,” Djokovic said Sunday, his trophy next to him. “You’re put in this position with a purpose, a purpose to learn and grow and evolve. I realized that I needed to get stronger and accept the fact that I’m competing with these two tremendous champions.”
While Federer and Nadal have spent much of their careers setting records, Djokovic is busying himself with breaking them. While they, Murray, Stan Wawrinka and others continue to challenge Djokovic, his destiny in tennis seems to be in his control.
Can he win the calendar Grand Slam? The Golden Slam (an Olympic gold added in)?
“I really think everything is achievable in life,” Djokovic said. “Whether or not I can reach a calendar Slam, that’s still a possibility.”
Djokovic drew a heart in the clay, thanking the Parisian fans as he laid in it. It was an ode to Gustavo Kuerten, the three-time winner here. Kuerten believes Djokovic has a shot at going four-for-four in 2016, too.
“Every time you ask if he’s going to win the tournament, I say, ‘If he’s in it, he is the favorite,’” Kuerten told reporters. “He will be the favorite the next couple of years.”
That is perhaps the most dangerous thought: As Federer (bad back) and Nadal (hurt wrist) continue to fight their bodies, and Murray (10-24 lifetime against Djokovic) has a difficult time solving Djokovic, the 29-year-old Serbian only looks to do more.
“In an era where history has been rewritten quite often, he’s done something that neither Rafa or Roger has,” said Courier. “It’s been hard to be impressed in tennis lately as we’ve watched these guys break records, but Novak has finally done something that they haven’t, which to me is amazing.”
Courier said the calendar Slam — which Serena Williams was two matches away from completing in 2015 — becomes a discussion after Wimbledon, and of course only should Djokovic win there.
And then for Djokovic? The sky is the limit.
“If he gets into calendar Slam position, you saw how difficult it was to close this match out trying to do something he’s never done before,” Courier said. “If he gets to the U.S. Open, he’ll be in that position again in trying to do something that he – and he’s done almost everything – has never done. That hits different people different ways. It hit Serena hard. But he certainly has the game to get it done.”
As the major titles continue to pile up, Djokovic is becoming the foe that rivals don’t want to face.
“What he has achieved the last 12 months is phenomenal,” Murray said on court of Djokovic, his voice cracking. “Winning all four of the Grand Slams in one year is an amazing achievement.”
Then, Murray joked: “Me, personally, being on the opposite side of the net, it sucks to lose the match but… I’m proud to be part of today.”
