Nadal fired Djokovic warning

NOVAK DJOKOVIC has been tipped to become a “scary” opponent in time for his French Open title defence, threatening Rafael Nadal’s chances of picking up a record 14th title in Paris. The world No. 1 started the season slowly after being unable to compete over his unvaccinated status but recently made his first final of the year in Serbia and has shown “glimpses” of returning to his top form.

Djokovic suffered back-to-back losses for the first time since July 2021 in his first two tournaments of the season, crashing out in the Dubai quarterfinals in February before losing his opening match in Monte Carlo 47 days later. But the Serb recovered to reach the final in Belgrade, where Andrey Rublev defeated him 6-2, 6-7(4), 60.

After his showing at the Serbia Open, world No. 153 Christopher Eubanks said the world No. 1’s progress at the tournament showed he could get back to his top level just in time for his upcoming French Open title defence.

“It seems to me that he is slowly getting in shape, and the best indicator is the final against Rublev,” the American claimed on Tennis Channel’s Inside-In podcast.

“It seems to me that he played better and better from match to match and that this is a positive signal in front of Roland Garros. If he continues like this, he will really be a beast in Paris. Then everyone will be afraid of him, it will be the real Novak.”

But the American pro also thought Djokovic wasn’t currently at his physical peak, something that would come after more matches in Madrid and Rome. “Novak Djokovic did not play well in Monte Carlo at all, suffering a sudden collapse in the third set of the match against Alejandro Davidovich Fokina,” he admitted.

“I don’t think his game is a problem, it’s just a consequence. When he returns to 100% from a physical and mental point of view, everything will come automatically on the court.” – Express Newspapers