Federer won 20 Grand Slam titles during his time in tennis, 16 of which came in an eight year period between 2003, and 2010.

The now 43-year-old broke Pete Sampras‘ record of 14 Grand Slams in 2009 when he beat Andy Roddick in a classic at Wimbledon.

Since then, his record has been surpassed by Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic, who sit on 22 and 24 Grand Slams respectively.

The Grand Slam record is perhaps the most coveted statistic in all of tennis, but there is one achievement that no member of the ‘big three’ managed to achieve during their time in the sport.

After winning the Australian Open in 2004, Federer gave his thoughts on just how difficult it would be to complete the ‘Calendar Grand Slam’.

Roger Federer said there are ‘not many guys’ who can win the Calendar Grand Slam back in 2004

During his post-tournament press conference, Federer was asked whether he thinks it’s possible to win all four Major tournaments in a calendar year.

“It’s so difficult to answer,” he said.

“I have really no idea what it takes, but I’ve said it in the past, I feel like not many guys can do it.

“If there is anybody, I would like them to step forward, say they can do it, because I think it’s really difficult.”

Having won the year’s first Major tournament, Federer recognized that he had the opportunity to complete the Calendar Grand Slam in 2004.

“You know, I’m the only guy who has a chance this year to do it, so that’s not a bad situation,” he said.

“We’ll see what happens at the French [Open].”

Unfortunately for the Swiss star, his Calendar Grand Slam challenge came to an abrupt end in the third round of the French Open, as he lost to three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten in straight sets, 4-6, 4-6, 4-6.

Despite winning the Australian Open six times in his career, Federer was never able to follow up a win in Melbourne with victory in Paris, scuppering any chances of completing the Calendar Grand Slam.

He’s not the only star to have struggled, however, as just one player in Open Era history has managed to achieve the feat.

Rod Laver won all four Grand Slams in 1969, and remains the only player to have done so, although some have come close over the years.

Which players have come closest to matching Rod Laver and completing the Calendar Grand Slam?

In the 55 years that have followed since Laver accomplished tennis’ most ‘impossible’ task, many have tried to win all four Major tournaments in a year.

However, in those 55 years, players have won the opening two Major tournaments of the year on just five occasions.

• 1988 – Mats Wilander won the Australian Open and French Open
• 1992 – Jim Courier won the Australian Open and French Open
• 2016 – Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open and French Open
• 2022 – Rafael Nadal won the Australian Open and French Open
• 2023 – Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open and French Open

Twice, Djokovic won the first two tournaments of the year, in 2016, and 2023, but his best attempt came in 2021, when he came agonizingly close to matching Laver.

Novak Djokovic’s 2021 season

Fresh off the back of his controversial exit at the US Open in 2020, Djokovic was determined to make amends in 2021, and add to his 17 Major titles.

He first headed to Melbourne, where he had won many times before, and battled his way to the title, taking down the likes of Taylor Fritz, Alexander Zverev, and Daniil Medvedev.

A trip to Paris followed, where Djokovic’s Calendar Grand Slam dreams hung by a thread on several occasions.

• 4R – Trailed by two sets to love against Lorenzo Musetti
• SF – Lost the first set to then 13-time champion Rafael Nadal
• F – Trailed by two sets to love against Stefanos Tsitsipas

Perhaps unsurprisingly, adversity’s greatest adversary battled back on all three occasions, as he won at Roland Garros for a second time, taking him halfway to the Calendar Grand Slam.

He then headed to Wimbledon, where the Serb was largely untouched, as he became the first player since Rod Laver to win the first three Slams of the year.

Djokovic dropped just one set all tournament, as he beat Matteo Berrettini, 6-7, 6-4, 6-4, 6-3, to lift the title at SW19.

A date with destiny in New York awaited the Serb, as he knew that winning the US Open title would see him complete the mission.

Nerves were evident throughout, as Djokovic dropped sets in all but one of his matches at Flushing Meadows.

After surviving a five-set war with Zverev in the semis, Djokovic took to the court to take on Medvedev in the final.

He was one match away from becoming the first player to complete the Calendar Grand Slam in over 50 years.

It wasn’t to be, however, as it was the Russian’s day on Arthur Ashe Stadium, crushing Djokovic’s dreams in straight sets, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4.

Djokovic had won 27 of the 28 matches required to complete the Calendar Grand Slam, but couldn’t quite get over the line.

His 2021 campaign remains the closest anyone has gotten to repeating Laver’s 1969 feat.

2025 Australian Open champion Jannik Sinner will no doubt be looking to make a run at the Calendar Grand Slam this year, as his focus switches to the French Open, which begins on Sunday, May 25.

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