It took me two tournaments to really feel I’m getting nearer to desired stage: Novak Djokovic forward of French Open

World primary Novak Djokovic appears to be like to retain his French Open crown, calling the Italian Open victory the right time to seek out type forward of the forthcoming clay main occasion.

The 2022 French Open will likely be held from May 22 to June 5.

The 20-time Grand Slam champion went down towards Alejandro Davidovich Fokina in Monte Carlo and Andrey Rublev within the Belgrade last earlier this yr. Djokovic misplaced to Carlos Alcaraz within the Madrid semi-final this month.

The Serb was refused to defend his Australian Open title as he was deported by the Australian authorities for not being vaccinated towards Covid-19. Djokovic arrived in Melbourne however was compelled to go away the nation after dropping a 10-day authorized battle.

Djokovic lifted his first trophy in additional than six months when he gained in Rome final week with out dropping a set.

“This surface is the most demanding one… it requires a lot of effort mentally, emotionally, physically,” Djokovic instructed reporters on Friday. “For me, historically it has required some time and several tournaments to really feel comfortable playing on clay.

“Rarely did I really feel my finest on clay within the first or second event within the season. That was the case this season once more. It took me two tournaments to essentially really feel that I’m getting nearer to the specified stage.

“Rome has been a very successful tournament for me in my career, and it was really coming at the right time. I always managed to get to the later stages of that tournament in just the week before Paris, perfect time to really find form.”

Djokovic picked Rafael Nadal and Alcaraz as his favourites to win the French Open, however did not rule himself out. He mentioned that he’s assured of replicating his success from 2021. The Serb will start his title defence towards Japan’s Yoshihito Nishioka.

“Nadal always has to be right at the top, because of his records particularly at this tournament,” Djokovic mentioned. “And then you have Alcaraz who is the story of men’s tennis in the last four or five months… He has made a quantum jump forward.

“I really feel that I’m at all times in rivalry to combat for any Grand Slam trophy. I imagine in my very own talents. I imagine in my very own talents to get far and to combat for probably the most prestigious trophies on the earth of tennis.

“As a defending champion of course more so, (I) believe I can do it again. Reliving the memories from last year is something that obviously gives me goosebumps and motivation to try to replicate that.”