The Grand Slam Focus
It is no secret that Novak Djokovic’s continued presence on the tennis tour is largely centered around the Grand Slams. The 24-time Grand Slam champion has hinted at this in recent years, with his time on court increasingly limited to deep runs in the major tournaments. Last year, he demonstrated that he still has what it takes to compete at the top, reaching the semifinals of all four Grand Slam events, losing only to Jannik Sinner or Alcaraz each time. He carried that momentum into this year, going one better by reaching the Australian Open final, producing a statement performance to knock out Jannik Sinner in the semis. Ultimately, he ran out of steam in the finals against Carlos Alcaraz, losing in four sets.
Can Novak Djokovic Challenge for Grand Slam 25?
The question remains whether Novak Djokovic can challenge for his 25th Grand Slam. With Alcaraz out until after Wimbledon, many believe that the Serbian star might not get a better chance to clinch a 25th Grand Slam that would set him apart from everyone else. His continued exploits have many believing that, even at 38, he is still the best of the rest, excluding Sinner and Alcaraz.
However, the concerns over his chances in the French capital are not just linked to the staggering form of Jannik Sinner – the Italian yet to lose since Indian Wells – but more to the Serb’s own struggles, with a shoulder injury having kept him from playing much since that stunning Australian Open run.
A Golden Opportunity
The former world #1, who many already consider the greatest of all time, regardless of whether he wins Grand Slam 25, has not enjoyed a good return. His first match back saw him fall to a spirited Dino Prizmic in the Rome Masters, casting further doubt on whether he can withstand the rigours of navigating a likely seven clay-court matches he may have to play at Roland Garros.
It already looked like a daunting task, not to mention the expectation that he would almost certainly have to get the better of Jannik Sinner for the second consecutive Slam if he is to triumph at the French capital. An almost impossible feat, it seems.
Few Still Hold Out Hope
Few still hold out hope that the great man, Novak Djokovic, might still have one more trick in his seemingly deep pockets. After all, despite all the talk of Sinner being nailed on to win the trophy, the reality is that Djokovic remains one of only two currently active male players who would be participating and have won the French Open.
He is also one of only three men to have beaten Rafa Nadal, who was practically considered immortal, in this competition. He also has the distinguishing record of being the only one to have beaten Rafa twice there. Those who believe cite the surprise run to the final in Australia, where Djokovic benefited from a withdrawal to make the quarterfinals and then a retirement in the quarterfinal itself when Lorenzo Musetti had to retire with injury while leading by two sets.
A Daunting Reality
However, despite all these reasons for optimism, the reality is that, following the main draw release, the Serb now has a potentially daunting task before we even reach the quarterfinal stage. The three-time Roland Garros champion could face home hopeful Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, rising teen João Fonseca, and the rejuvenated and in-form Casper Ruud. It feels like the big man is set for a testing period even before he makes it to the second week of the tournament.
He would still be expected to make it past Perricard and maybe even Fonseca, but in Ruud, he no doubt faces a potentially really stern examination. The Norwegian has looked back to his best with an impressive run to the Rome final, his most impressive outing in recent times. The courts in Rome play quite similarly to those at the French Open, which means the former world #2 should transition well.
A Tough Path Ahead
Based on their recent outings, it feels like if the matchup does come to fruition, it might spell the end of Djokovic’s French Open. At best, if he somehow comes through, it almost certainly will be a bruising affair for Djokovic. And at his current age, any drawn-out affairs in the French capital only serve to further diminish whatever slim chances he already had going into the competition.
By this time next week, we will have a clearer picture of what to expect. Time and again, we have learned that we should never count Novak Djokovic out. However, if he admittedly pulled a surprise cat out of the bag in his semifinal triumph over Jannik Sinner in Australia, then, as things stand, it feels like if he is to triumph here; then he’d have to pull out at least two cats, it seems.
