Grand Slam sweep is possible, says Djokovic

FILE—Novak Djokovic, of Serbia, reacts after winning a game in the fourth set during his fourth round match against Roberto Bautista Agut, of Spain, at the U.S. Open tennis tournament in New York, Sunday, Sept. 6, 2015. Djokovic won 6-3, 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. (AP Photo/Adam Hunger)

World number one Novak Djokovic insisted Thursday that it is possible to win all four Grand Slam tournaments in a single season after coming agonizingly close in 2015.

The 28-year-old won the Australian and US Opens as well as Wimbledon last season but missed out on becoming the first man since Rod Laver in 1969 to achieve the historic sweep when he lost the final of the French Open to Stan Wawrinka.

Asked if he could achieve the Grand Slam in 2016, Djokovic said: “I think anything is achievable. If you believe in it, if you, you know, dedicate yourself to it, why not?

“Why not visualize that and hope for that to happen? But one thing is actually to want that and the other is to accomplish.

“It’s still very early for me to talk about the Grand Slam in a year. You know, that would be something very extraordinary, but it is possible.

“I definitely have that kind of mindset,” he continued.

“I was one match away last year. 2011 I won three out of four Grand Slams, as well. I’m not the only one that has done that. Of course Roger (Federer) and Rafa (Nadal) were in similar situations. So let’s see.”

Djokovic was speaking after winning through to the semi-finals of the Qatar Open by beating Argentina’s Leonardo Mayer, 6-3, 7-5.

The Serb dominated men’s tennis in 2015, also making 15 consecutive tour finals and winning more than $21 million (19 million euros) in prize money, as well as his success in the majors.

He begins the defense of his Australian Open title later this month.