Djokovic captures Wimbledon for 20th major

Novak Djokovic is on the edge of a seasonal Grand Slam after winning Wimbledon Sunday in four sets over Italian Matteo Berrettini.

Djokovic needs to win the U.S. Open that runs Aug. 30-Sept 12 to become the first men’s player to win all four majors since the great Rod Laver in 1969. Don Budge (1938) is the only other man to complete a calendar Grand Slam.

“I have to pay a great tribute to Rafa (Nadal) and Roger (Federer),” Djokovic said after a 6-7 (4), 6-4, 6-4, 6-3 triumph gave him his 20th Grand Slam championship. “They are legends of our sport and they are the two most important players that I’ve ever faced in my career. They are I think the reason that I am where I am today. They have helped me realize what I need to do in order to improve get stronger mentally, physically, tactically.”

Djokovic, who is knotted with Federer and Nadal at 20 Grand Slam titles, lost the first set after taking a 5-2 lead but went on to roll past the seventh-seeded Italian.

You can see how much major title No. 20 means to Novak Djokovic 👏

His sixth title at #Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/DvqZwdo1UK

— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) July 11, 2021

Djokovic has won nine Australian Opens, two French Opens, six Wimbledons and will be going for his fourth U.S. Open championship.

He last won the U.S. Open in 2018.

This was his third consecutive Wimbledon championship. The grass-court event did not take place in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Hat-trick complete 🏆 🏆 🏆#Wimbledon | @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/hHSpBxIhjc

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) July 11, 2021

Djokovic is -120 to capture the US Open on the odds at BetUs.

Looking way ahead, BetUS already has Djokovic as the +120 favorite to win the 2022 Australian Open.