ROME (AP) — That loss to Carlos Alcaraz appears to have motivated Novak Djokovic.
Just in time.
A week after succumbing to the 19-year-old Spanish prodigy in Madrid, the Serbian star won the Italian Open on Sunday without dropping a set and grabbed his first title of the year.
After missing a long stretch of the season for not having been vaccinated against the coronavirus, Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6 (5) to win his sixth title in Rome.
Now, both Djokovic and Alcaraz appear as the big favorites with a view to the French Open, which starts next Sunday.
“I’m traveling with all my ambitions,” Djokovic said. “I see myself with good chances… From the good feelings on and off the court over the last few weeks, I really think I can go far.”
Uncertainty surrounds Rafael Nadal, who has won 13 of his record 23 Grand Slam titles at Roland Garros. The Spaniard said goodbye prematurely to the Italian Open with new discomfort in his left foot.
“Right now, Carlos Alcaraz or Novak Djokovic,” Greek Tsitsipas said when asked to give a favorite for the French Open, without mentioning Nadal’s name.
As for women, Iga Swiatek is the undisputed candidate. The Pole revalidated the women’s title on the clay of the Foro Italico by dispatching Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2, thereby extending her winning streak to 28.
Djokovic took barely half an hour to settle the first set against a Tsitsipas who became so frustrated that he slammed his racket into his bag during a change of ends and broke it.
After trailing in the second set, Djokovic reacted when Tsitsipas served for the set up 5-3.
First, Djokovic deposited a right cross at the line and then made his Greek rival run from one side to the other until he risked a dropshot that ended in the net. Djokovic celebrated by clenching his fist with the crowd chanting his nickname: “NO-LE, NO-LE!”
When a Tsitsipas backhand went wide on the first match point, the world number one raised his arms and beamed.
Djokovic, who was deported for failing to get vaccinated on the eve of the Australian Open, had not been champion since the Paris Masters in November.
The 20-major champion reached the final at the Serbian Open last month. He lost to Alcaraz in the semifinals of the Madrid Open last week.
Swiatek will appear at Roland Garros in the midst of an imperial streak.
The Pole surprised when she was proclaimed champion of the 2020 French Open when she was number 54 in the ranking. Now, the number one in the world is the favorite to win a second title at Roland Garros.
“I’ve already made great strides this season, I feel like I can play very loose,” Swiatek said. “The expectations are huge, but I’ve never had a problem switching off.”
Swiatek, 20, has won five straight titles during his triumphant march.
Jabeur was also on a winning streak, 11 in a row, including his triumph at the Madrid Open last week. But the Tunisian’s style of play, with her dropshots and curling shots, did not tickle Swiatek’s agility and accuracy.
The last player to have had such a long winning streak was Serena Williams, who had 34 wins at the end of 2013. The longest streak in history belongs to Martina Navratilova, who had 74 wins in 1984.
“It’s kind of surreal,” Swiatek said.
