Novak backs Fed to find feet on clay
THE Mediterranean Sea glistening below the temporary stands of the Monte Carlo Country Club is always a glorious reminder that summer will soon be upon us.
But the European clay court season will be slightly different from the last three years in that Roger Federer will be playing a part.
Not until the Madrid Open early next month does the Swiss join the fray. Novak Djokovic expects Federer to be a genuine challenger when this leg winds up at Roland Garros, a threat to his own hopes of completing a remarkable second clean sweep of all four Grand Slams.
‘ It’s hard to speak about Roger’s level because it’s always there,’ Djokovic said yesterday ahead of the Monte Carlo Open.
‘Only maybe two times in the last 15 years I saw him play 10 or 20 per cent worse than the level that he’s playing at all the time. He is always going to be a candidate or favourite to win any tournament.’
As the new phase of the season begins, Federer leads the points board based purely on this year’s results. Djokovic pointed to him making the final at Indian Wells as proof he is still technically capable of doing damage on clay.
‘At Indian Wells the ball bounces quite high, which kind of imitates the clay. He dealt with the high balls really well throughout his career, so I don’t see any big issue for him playing on this surface.’
Even as he approaches 33, Rafael Nadal is still ahead of anyone but Djokovic, assuming the clay is kind to his knees.
What will be fascinating when the Serb and the Spaniard next meet will be to see if there is any mental scarring from the fearful drubbing Djokovic gave Nadal in the Australian Open final.
Djokovic, 32, was brilliant in Melbourne, showing that he is still the best player overall, despite his form dipping with defeats last month at Indian Wells and Miami.
Looking back on those losses, Djokovic said that he was not able to play for more than five weeks post-Melbourne. ‘I had a lot going on off the court,’ he said.
That is a reference to his part in the political shenanigans that led to the decision not to renew ATP chief Chris Kermode’s contract, to the consternation of many within the game. Djokovic is the best player, and to win all four Grand Slams again would be a stunning achievement. Whether this qualifies him to have a pivotal role in a complex international business is another matter.
Even without Andy Murray, there are two Brits in the main draw first round in Monte Carlo: Kyle Edmund faces last year’s French Open quarter- finalist Diego Schwartzman, and Cam Norrie meets Frenchman Adrian Mannarino.