Novak Djokovic declares war on the competition: "I feel perfect at the moment"
Novak Djokovic won his first title of the year at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome. And afterwards there was no doubt about his goal for the French Open.
by Nikolaus Fink
last edit: May 15, 2022, 09:03 pm
Novak Djokovic is back. If he was ever gone at all. With the victory at the ATP Masters 1000 tournament in Rome, the world number one impressively underpinned his supremacy on the tour and - as so often in the past - approached his absolute top form immediately before a Grand Slam event.
"I really couldn't have wished for a better week. I played a perfect set today. I didn't drop a set throughout the tournament. I really trusted the process when I started training on clay," explained Djokovic after the 6: 0 and 7: 6 (5) final success over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Djokovic physically fit again
The clay court season had started anything but as desired for the Serb. Djokovic struggled with the after-effects of an illness both in Monte Carlo and at his home tournament in Belgrade, but the industry leader returned to his old strength in Madrid and Rome.
"At the moment I feel perfect," Djokovic told the world public after his 38th tournament victory at Masters 1000 level. No question: Although Carlos Alcaraz has had an impressive season so far and Rafael Nadal is still the undisputed clay court king, the path to the title at the French Open will only lead through Djokovic.
Djokovic oozes confidence
The 34-year-old is also aware of this: "I would rate myself as one of the favourites. I'm going there with the greatest ambitions, mainly because of the way I played here. I see really good chances for myself ." With a win in the French capital, Djokovic would draw level with Nadal in the all-time Grand Slam leaderboard.
There could be a direct duel between the two at the French Open in the quarterfinals. Since Nadal was eliminated in Rome in the round of 16, also due to his well-known foot injury , he will only be fifth in Paris. Excitement is already guaranteed in the draw on Thursday. Even for Novak Djokovic, who is currently so self-confident again.
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