Djokovic, winner in Rome, is back

The mid-afternoon Roman sun shines on Novak Djokovic, happy in the center of the court, throwing hearts into the stands and raising his fist in victory.

With the feeling that he is exactly where he wanted to be by now.

After the grotesque Australian episode at the beginning of the year, the occasional romp upon his return to the circuit and half a year without lifting any title -he had not done so since November 7, in Paris-Bercy-, ​​the number one defeated this Sunday Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final in Rome (6-0 and 7-6(5), in 1h 38m) and confirmed that he will arrive in formidable form at Roland Garros, from May 22 to June 5.

The 34-year-old Serbian undertook the tour on clay surrounded by questions, full of doubts and with the priority objective of recovering the spark before landing in Paris, and according to what has been seen in recent weeks, he will travel more than satisfied to the Bois of Boulogne.

He will arrive there with another trophy under his arm – sixth in Rome, 38th in a Masters 1000 and 87th in his career – and with the certainty that his competitive biorhythms are ready after a considerable physical and emotional comeback.

Without playing from December 3 to February 21, when he reappeared in Dubai, he has barely needed a month to find himself again.

He always comes back.

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Djokovic becomes a millennium

”After everything that's happened [in Australia], to some extent this is a relief.

It was important for me to win a big title, especially now that the Grand Slams are approaching”, said Djokovic, who did not drop a single set throughout the week.

"Yes, it couldn't be better," he stressed.

“I trusted the process when I started training on the ground and I knew that it was a matter of playing, three or four weeks, that I reached the desired level.

Historically, it has always been that way.

I have achieved everything I was looking for here, it is the perfect preparation for Roland Garros”, added the king of the circuit.

Djokovic.

Is. BACK 🙌@DjokerNole |

@InteBNLdItaly |

#IBI22 pic.twitter.com/HSSHQ4gh4l

– ATP Tour (@atptour) May 15, 2022

Djokovic will go to Paris with his homework well done, increasingly recognizable and increasingly fierce, emitting signs that his rehabilitation is a fact and that, indeed, he is progressing on the right path.

He stumbled at the first change in Monte Carlo, against Alejandro Davidovich, but from then on he sharpened his game and climbed, recovering point by point and game by game: final in Belgrade, semifinal in Madrid and this last prize in Rome, where He is officially listed as the oldest champion, at 34 years, 11 months and 23 days.

Nole will land in the second big of the season loaded with good stimuli, entrenched and in a clear ascending line;

having crossed the border of 1000 wins (1,001) as a professional.

His visit to the Foro Italico has been revitalizing.

Drawn two level tests against Felix Auger Aliassime and Casper Ruud, the Belgrade player tipped the first set against Tsitsipas in 30 minutes and reacted strongly in the second to avoid extension.

The 23-year-old Greek, who will appear on the fourth step of the ATP

this Monday , entered the court as if he were already defeated;

the stands woke him up and he responded, but Djokovic knocked him down withering blows.

The Greek: “It is a perfect machine”

With authority, the Balkan recovered and prevailed again, as was the case in last year's final at Roland Garros.

So, Tsitsipas started two sets ahead, but was then sucked into the whirlpool.

The stands of the Foro Italico wanted to march, that's why the final was stretched out, but the duel didn't last any longer.

Djokovic celebrated his 38th Masters 1000 –record record, two above Rafael Nadal– and stressed that he arrives at the right place at the right time.

Nole is already Nole.

He and Carlos Alcaraz now appear as the most solid double bet, just one week away from an appointment that is exciting.

"I think that the way I've been playing these last few days, I would consider myself one of the favourites," he said.

“Novak is a Formula 1, a perfect machine.

He and Alcaraz are in the lead.

I don't know if I'll be at his level, but I hope I can reach him, ”said Tsitsipas, who will unseat Nadal this Monday in fourth place on the ATP world list.

“I am going to Paris with the maximum ambition, I like my options”, settled the Serbian, who has linked 17 courses winning at least one title.

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