RAFA: THIS IS NO DJOK

RAFA NADAL believes Novak Djokovic is still a major threat to his hopes of securing an 11th French Open crown.

Djokovic has struggled to find his best form during a difficult few months since having elbow surgery.

The former world No.1 is now the 20th seed at Roland Garros – but he showed glimpses of his old self at last week’s Italian Open before bowing out to Nadal in the semi-finals.

Nadal, who has lost just twice in 81 matches on the red clay of Paris, is again big favourite to triumph.

But he said: “Novak is one of the best players in our history of this sport.

“My answer is he’s not coming back – he’s there always.

“Sometimes when you come back from injuries it’s difficult to play that well from the beginning.

“But he played a great event in Rome and is no doubt one of the candidates to win here.”

Nadal, recently back from a hip injury, went on to win in Rome and starts his French Open bid against Ukraine’s Alexandr Dolgopolov.

The Spaniard, back at the top of the world rankings, added: “I feel good. But every tournament is different.”

Alexander Zverev, also expected to challenge Nadal’s dominance, took him to three sets in the Rome final and won in Munich and Madrid.

The German, seeded second, will face unfancied Lithuanian Ricardas Berankis.