"I think every player looks at the draw" admits Djokovic as he names top favourites

| by Balasz Virag

At the 2022 Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic will try to level Rafael Nadal at 21 Grand Slams and win his third title at the second Grand Slam of the year.

In the first match of his 2022 Roland Garros campaign, Novak Djokovic will take on left-handed Yoshihito Nishioka as he will face a difficult path to the final. Ahead of the tournament, the Serbian admitted that he studied the draw and thinks that it's natural and every player does that.

“I had a look at the draw. I think every player always looks at the entire draw and studies it in a way. You can only focus on your next challenge and match… It's a very tough top half of the men's draw, but there is something that you can't really affect… I have trained mostly with right-handed players and I'm playing with a lefty, so it is difficult.”

Djokovic facing huge rankings drop after ATP Wimbledon decision
Djokovic facing huge rankings drop after ATP Wimbledon decision

Speaking about the favourites in the French capital, Novak Djokovic said: “We talk about favourites for Roland-Garros and clay, you know that Nadal always has to be right at the top, because of his records particularly in this tournament,” Djokovic said. “And then you have Alcaraz that obviously is the story of men's tennis in the last four or five months with a big reason. He's had some tremendous leaps forward on rankings and the results that he's been achieving are phenomenal for someone of his age.”

“I think that experience of being on the tour for such a long time helps to know how to spend energy on the court match after match, bring out the right intensity, manage everything that happens off the court, as well, and peak at the right time. Best-of-five, obviously things are different. A Grand Slam I think awakens so much motivation and emotions in a tennis player.”

"He can win but Nadal is the favourite" - Henman on Alcaraz and Roland Garros
"He can win but Nadal is the favourite" - Henman on Alcaraz and Roland Garros

Read the full article

Just in

Look at more articles