Novak Djokovic Remains Calm Amid Tournament Drought: Focuses on Roland Garros

Novak Djokovic has still not won a single tournament since the start of 2024 but is not panicking. After his Australian Open which ended in the semi-final against Jannik Sinner, a surprise defeat at Indians Wells in the round of 16 against the Italian Luca Nardi and a fight lost in three rounds against Casper Ruud in the semi-final of Monte -Carlo, here is the world number 1 engaged in a tournament again.

Friday, Djoko will begin his journey in this Masters 1000 in Rome against the Frenchman Corentin Moutet or against the Russian Roman Safiullin. By choosing to skip the Madrid Masters last week to return to train in Belgrade, the 36-year-old Serbian apparently did everything possible to be in shape when he wanted to be. . “I am on the right track to be in peak form at Roland Garros” he declared this Wednesday at a press conference in Rome.

I hope to play better here than in Monte-Carlo

“I did a good block of training (after Monte-Carlo), I hope to play better here than in Monte-Carlo, the goal is to go as far as possible. We’ll see what happens “, continued the Serbian, already focused on his main objectives of spring and summer: “I am happy with the progress of the last fourteen days in view of the sequence Roland Garros, Wimbledon and Olympic Games, an important block for me. This is the block we prepare the most for.”

The record holder for the number of Grand Slam titles is therefore approaching this Rome Masters as a springboard towards his next objectives. But if Djokovic has, since the end of the Australian Open, favored training sessions, he knows that nothing replaces the rhythm of competition. “Training with sparring partners is not the same as playing against the best players in the world,” he concedes.

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Djoko hopes to find Nadal at Roland Garros

In the Italian capital this week, he will be one of the main attractions on the courts. Alongside his best enemy, a certain Rafael Nadal, whom he already aims to find at Porte d’Auteuil at the end of May. “It’s probably one of the biggest challenges you can have on the circuit” explains Djokovic, while heaps praise on the Mallorcan who will play the Roland tournament for the last time in his immense career. -Garros this year.

“The tenacity and the intensity that he brings to the court, especially there, is something that has been very rarely seen, I think, in the history of this sport. I’m sure this tournament will be very moving for him, as it probably was in Madrid and will be here in Rome, but especially there, because of the records he holds.”

Until then, Djoko and Rafa will have to gain confidence and rhythm to approach this second Grand Slam of the year in the best possible condition. The road to Paris passes through Rome.

2024-05-08 15:43:00
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