Djokovic shows he's back in top form with Italian Open title
ROME: Just in time. Novak Djokovic raised his first trophy of the year at the Italian Open on Sunday and showed that he's back in top form exactly a week before the French Open starts.
After missing a large portion of the season because he wasn't vaccinated against the coronavirus, the top-ranked Djokovic beat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6 (5) for his sixth Rome title.
I've been building my form the last few weeks, Djokovic said.
It couldn't be better timing coming into Roland Garros."
Perfect scenario for me, Djokovic added later.
Earlier on the red clay, Iga Swiatek defended the women's title by overwhelming Ons Jabeur 6-2, 6-2 to extend her winning streak to 28 matches.
Djokovic didn't drop a set all week, having won his 1,000th career match over Casper Ruud in the semifinals.
Djokovic, who was deported because of his unvaccinated status ahead of the Australian Open, hadn't won a tournament since raising the Paris Masters trophy in November.
This year it was a particular situation. With everything that happened in Australia, it took some time, Djokovic said.
I found my best shape here. I'm going to Paris with a lot of confidence.
It was Djokovic's 12th final at the Foro Italico.
This court has always been very, very special, he said.
It's given me joy when I really needed positive sensations. Whenever my form was a bit down I've found energy in this city.
Djokovic needed only a half hour to win the opening set, during which Tsitsipas got so frustrated at one point that he banged his racket against his bag during a changeover and mangled the frame.
After falling behind early in the second set, Djokovic stepped up his game when Tsitsipas served for the set at 5-3.