Nadal, Djokovic launch French Open assaults
PARIS: Record nine-time winner Rafael Nadal and title- holder Novak Djokovic set off Monday ahead of a French Open collison course, while champions past and present meet in the women’s first round.
Nadal is bidding to become the first player in the Open era to win 10 titles at any Grand Slam event, with a spectacular return to form in 2017 once more marking the Spaniard out as this year’s Roland Garros favourite.
Three clay- court titles at Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Madrid suggest the 30-year- old is poised to end a three-year drought at majors -- his last Grand Slam triumph came in Paris in 2014.
But the fourth seed is aware of the threat posed by mercurial Frenchman Benoit Paire, who will have considerable support on Court Suzanne Lenglen.
“He is not an opponent you want to play against in the first round. A player with big talent. Great serve, great hands and fantastic backhand,” said Nadal.
“He’s a dangerous opponent. I need to play my best.”
Nadal’s long- time nemesis Djokovic wil l look to draw inspiration from new coach Andre Agassi, the 1999 French Open champion, as the Serb begins the defence of his crown.
This time a year ago Djokovic was on his way to completing a career Grand Slam, holding all four major titles at the same time following his maiden success in Paris.
But a drastic dip in performances, including a shock second-round loss at the Australian Open, left Djokovic scrambling to stop his career from hitting the skids.
A chance phone cal l led to Djokovic sounding out Agassi, who agreed to work with the Serb on a temporary basis -- but only after persuasion from his wife and former tennis legend Steffi Graf.
“He’s someone that inspires me a lot,” said Djokovic.
“That’s one of the things I felt like I needed is new inspiration, someone that knows exactly what I’m going through, on the court, off the court.
“He has been through all these transitions, he has been in my shoes before playing Grand Slams, being the best in the world, and facing all the challenges that are present in tennis, in professional sport.”
The world number two will open against 65th-ranked Marcel Granollers of Spain, and although a semi-final showdown with Nadal is on the cards, Djokovic refused to look beyond the first hurdle.
“You start a tournament from the same line with everyone else. You fight for the trophy, as everybody does. That’s the way I approach it,” said Djokovic. — AFP