Novak Djokovic may have just won a record breaking 36th Masters 1000 title at the Italian Open but he is staying grounded about his chances at Roland Garros.
The 17-time Grand Slam champion clinched his latest title on Monday following a 7-5, 6-3, win over Argentina’s Diego Schwartzman at the Foro Italico. Improving his almost flawless record on the ATP Tour this season to 31-1. The only loss he suffered was at the US Open when he was disqualified after accidentally hitting a ball at a lines judge.
Given his dominance on the Tour in 2020 Djokovic is being tipped to win the upcoming French Open for only the second time in his career after 2016. Although he faces a challenge from Nadal, who has won the tournament a record 12 times and has more ATP clay court titles than any other player in the Open Era.
“I cannot hope for Rafa not being in the finals. I can hope for myself being in the final and fighting for the trophy,” Djokovic told reporters during a virtual press conference. “I mean, that’s probably the player that has the highest chance of being in the final in French Open.’
Unlike Djokovic, 34-year-old Nadal has only played three matches heading into Paris after opting not to travel to America due to concerns related to the travelling during the COVID-19 pandemic. In Rome the Spaniard scored wins over Pablo Carreno Busta and Dusan Lajovic before suffering a surprise quarter-final loss to Schwartzman. A player who had had a winning 9-0 head-to-head record against prior to their match.
“It’s Nadal. Even though he lost this week, I still think a lot of people will agree, he’s the No. 1 favourite. The record that he has there and the history of his results you just can’t put anybody in front of him,” Djokovic argues.
“But Diego definitely showed that Nadal is beatable on clay. The conditions that they played on, obviously heavy clay, not much bounce, humid, night session, we are going to have that, as well, in Paris.”
This year’s French Open is taking place later in the year than usual due to the pandemic which halted the ATP Tour for five months. Due to it being held at a different time of the year, Djokovic says he is preparing himself for the possibility of lengthy rain delays. At the tournament only the Philippe-Chatrier Court has a roof.
“I think I have to be physically ready because there might be a lot of interruptions. If I don’t get to play on centre court all the time, which is the only court with a roof, obviously I have to be ready that I have to deal with those kinds of things, or maybe not playing for a half a day or a day,’ the Serbian explains.
“But I feel good. Of course, this (winning the Italian Open) gives me even more confidence that is absolutely necessary for a Grand Slam.”
Since winning his maiden French Open title Djokovic is yet to reach the final again. He lost in the quarter-finals twice followed by the semi-finals last year.
The French Open main draw will start next Monday.
