Novak Djokovic, outgoing winner of Roland-Garros, makes Rafael Nadal his favorite for the 2024 edition (May 26-June 9), while admitting that the tournament this year was more open than ever. “When you talk about Roland-Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favorite for me,” said the world number one on the sidelines of the Geneva tournament, although the 14-title Spaniard carries d’Auteuil is still uncertain, due to the physical problems which have slowed him down all this season.
“Obviously it’s a little different with his level of play. But it’s Roland-Garros and it’s Nadal (…) and with the respect we owe him, it’s normal to place him as favorite,” added the Serbian, who however believes that “this year, it’s more open”.
Five candidates for victory
“Casper Ruud is surely one of the five players candidates for victory,” he continued. We also have Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, all the players who won a major tournament on this surface this year. And afterwards, maybe me, if I feel good (…) At Roland Garros, and at all the Grand Slams, I am a slightly different player.”
Novak Djokovic, the man with 24 Grand Slam victories, just celebrated his 37th birthday on Wednesday. He has still not won a single tournament or even played in a final in 2024. He benefited from an invitation to the Geneva tournament to try to perfect his adjustments before the Paris meeting.
