Novak Djokovic’s hopes of winning the “Golden Slam” were dashed on Friday.
The Serbian fell to Alexander Zverev in the tennis semifinals of Tokyo 2020, so now he only aspires to get the Olympic bronze.
Had a chance to become the first man to win all four Grand Slam titles and an Olympic gold medal in the same year, a feat called “Golden Slam” and that only the German got Steffi graf in 1988.
Djokovic, the world’s number one today, was defeated by the 24-year-old German Zverev 1-6, 6-3 and 6-1 at Ariake Tennis Park in Tokyo.
“I feel terrible,” said Djokovic, who did not want to blame the very hot and humid conditions in the Japanese capital on Friday.
“It’s just sport. He played better. You have to give him credit for turning the game around. His serve was extremely good. “
The 34-year-old Djokovic had already been eliminated from the mixed doubles semifinals alongside Nina Stojanovic.
Now he only aspires to win bronze in both competitions.
This year, the Serbian claimed the Grand Slam titles at the Australian Open, Roland Garros and Wimbledon. Had he won the Olympic gold, he would only have needed to win the US Open to be crowned with the “Golden Slam.”
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