French Open: After toppling Nadal, Djokovic hopes to be prepared for Tsitsipas

After dethroning ‘king of clay’ Rafa Nadal on the French Open, Novak Djokovic will subsequent face a first-time Grand Slam finalist in Stefanos Tsitsipas because the world primary bids to grow to be the primary man within the open period to win all 4 majors no less than twice.
Roy Emerson and Rod Laver are the one males to have gained every of the 4 Grand Slams on two or extra events however nobody has achieved the feat since 1968, when the game allowed skilled gamers to compete on the majors.
A second trophy at Roland Garros, after his 2016 triumph on the crimson clay, on Sunday may even give the 34-year-old Serbian his nineteenth Grand Slam title – one in need of Nadal and Roger Federer’s males’s report.
His challenger will probably be a 22-year-old who’s bidding to grow to be the primary Greek to win a singles main.
Tsitsipas has lengthy been marked out as a future Grand Slam champion and has already collected trophies from the season-ending ATP Finals and a Masters 1000 match.
But he had drawn a clean the thrice he reached the last-four stage at a significant earlier than Friday’s semi-final the place he took down U.S. Open finalist Alexander Zverev in an exciting five-set duel.
The first Grand Slam finalist from Greece will arrive on Court Philippe Chatrier on Sunday with a 2-5 win-loss report in opposition to the Serbian however will draw inspiration from the truth that he has a Tour-leading win tally in 2021.
“I’m looking forward to that challenge,” Tsitsipas mentioned on Friday, looking forward to his first main remaining.
“I’m looking forward to bring my game to kind of challenge myself to step it up.”
Nothing lower than his ‘A’ sport would suffice for the Greek as he has by no means managed to defeat Djokovic on clay although he took the Serbian to 5 units within the semi-finals on the identical venue final 12 months.
The feelings of Friday’s improbable win over 13-time French Open winner Nadal would possibly depart a hangover for many gamers however that may not be an issue for Djokovic along with his unbelievable psychological energy.
“It’s not the first time that I play an epic semi-final in a Grand Slam and then I have to come back in less than 48 hours and play finals,” he mentioned.
“My recovery abilities are pretty good, I must say, throughout my career … I know what I need to do.”
Djokovic was comfortable to chill out a bit and luxuriate in his semi-final win over his nice rival however is not going to take something with no consideration in opposition to the Greek.
“He’s in great form,” the Serbian mentioned. “I feel he matured as a participant loads. Clay (is) arguably his finest floor.
“We performed an epic five-setter final 12 months within the semis right here. Yeah, I do know it’s going to be one other robust one.
“I’m hoping I can recharge my batteries as much as I can because I’m going to need some power and energy for that one.”