Novak Djokovic wants to lift his recreation for French Open bid
World primary Novak Djokovic will head to the French Open after a patchy begin to the claycourt season and conscious that he should increase his recreation if he’s to have any likelihood of securing a nineteenth Grand Slam title.
Having obliterated Daniil Medvedev within the closing to clinch the Australian Open in February, Djokovic made a shock last-16 exit on the Monte Carlo Masters in opposition to Briton Dan Evans earlier than dropping to Russia’s Aslan Karatsev within the Serbia Open semi-finals.
During the defeat by Karatsev at his personal tennis centre in Belgrade, a annoyed Djokovic transformed solely 5 of 28 break factors because the Russian gained revenge for a straight-sets loss to the Serb within the Australian Open semis.
Djokovic improved to succeed in the Rome Masters closing however went right down to perennial rival Rafael Nadal, leaving the Spaniard the new favorite to clinch a record-extending 14th Roland Garros title.
Heading into this week’s Belgrade Open, Djokovic was glad together with his progress though he acknowledged he wanted to fine-tune his recreation if he’s to have any likelihood of profitable a second French Open title.
“I am happy with my performances in Rome, especially with my fitness levels as I am confident that I had enough in the tank to play best-of-five (set) matches,” Djokovic advised a web based information convention earlier than coming into the Belgrade Open.
“It was all the time my precedence to hit high kind in Paris. I’m engaged on particulars in my recreation which want enchancment in time for the French Open as I wish to shine within the metropolis of lights.
“Clay is a demanding surface but I hope I can go all the way at Roland Garros. I’ve been doing sets of specific exercises aimed at bolstering my speed and making me more dynamic.”
Apart from Nadal, who will develop into the all-time males’s chief with 21 main titles if he retains his French Open crown, Djokovic may even be cautious of a number of different rivals trying to make an affect.
Alexander Zverev will likely be brimming with confidence after profitable the Madrid Masters, having overwhelmed Nadal within the quarter-finals earlier than capping off the week with victories over Dominic Thiem and Matteo Berrettini.
Zverev then misplaced to Nadal within the Rome quarter-finals however each the Spaniard and Djokovic know that the 24-year-old German can do injury on his greatest day.
Italy’s Berrettini could have excessive hopes of being a darkish horse after he adopted up his triumph on the Serbia Open with a runner-up end in Madrid, whereas world quantity 4 Thiem is also formidable opposition if he hits high gear.
