How to build form before a Grand Slam? Ask Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic will travel to Paris in a few days as the defending champion for the French Open. The form curve of the world number one from Serbia has recently been drastically upwards.
by Michael Rothschädl
last edit: May 15, 2022, 11:14 am
Almost exactly a month ago, on April 12, everything had looked very different. At that time, Novak Djokovic started his personal clay court season: after the Serb was not allowed to compete in the Sunshine Double in Indian Wells and Miami, the Serb did so with a considerable deficit in terms of match practice. And you saw Novak Djokovic in Monte Carlo quite rusty.
Against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, who later, inspired by the success of the world number one from Serbia, should start a run to the final, Djokovic also had physical abysses, especially in the third round. The start of the preparation for the targeted title defense in Roland Garros, it definitely backfired for the 20-time Grand Slam winner.
Djokovic slowly gaining momentum in Madrid
Even in Belgrade a week later, the Werkl shouldn't really run smoothly with the industry leader - with three comeback wins, Djokovic really struggled into the final, in which he shouldn't see a country against Andrey Rublev, especially in the third set. At that time there was no sign of top form with the world number one. Next try? Madrid. And that's when Djokovic gradually showed himself from the side that made the Serb the best tennis player in recent history.
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In the semi-finals, however, Novak Djokovic had to give way to the player who will probably own the near future of tennis: Carlos Alcaraz. He defeated the Serbs in Madrid in a thrilling three-set fight after the 19-year-old had previously eliminated compatriot and clay court king Rafael Nadal in three sets. The next day, Alcaraz made the title win perfect in the manner of a great champion.
Djokovic is approaching top form
But this story is not that of youngster Carlos Alcaraz. It's about Novak Djokovic slowly but surely getting better and better. And walked into the final in Rome in an extremely confident manner so far. Felix Auger-Aliassime, Casper Ruud, Stan Wawrinka and Aslan Karatsev should not win a set on Djokovic's way to the final. The final hurdle: Stefanos Tsitsipas.
This is the new edition of the French Open final from the previous year, in which Novak Djokovic managed the turnaround in an impressive manner after being 0: 2 behind. At exactly the tournament for which Djokovic seems to be in excellent shape now, in 2022. And in which only one thing will undoubtedly count for the 20-time Grand Slam winner: defending the title. The bumpy start to the clay court season already seems to have been forgotten. Just like last year, when, as is well known, the title at the Bois de Bolougne followed a mediocre start on clay.
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