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Roland-Garros: "It's Alcaraz the favorite," says Novak Djokovic

2023-05-28T14:50:19.937Z

Highlights: Novak Djokovic aiming for a 23rd major title at Roland-Garros. The Serb is the only record holder of Grand Slam victories in men just ahead of Rafael Nadal (22) The 36-year-old does not arrive in Paris with full confidence. He has suffered in the quarters (Rome, Banja Luka) and one in 8th (Monte-Carlo), not to mention elbow problems. "I haven't had too much success in clay tournaments, but the Grand Slam is like another sport in itself," he says.


In the absence of his great rival Rafael Nadal, the Serb will try to write history again to overtake his Spanish rival in Grand Slam victories.


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The insatiable record hunter is aiming for a 23rd major title at Roland-Garros to become, a first in his career, the only record holder of Grand Slam victories in men just ahead of Rafael Nadal (22), the great absentee of these France International. The Serb does not hide it. He plays for history: "It's an important source of motivation and inspiration for me. At this point in my career all Grand Slams are a gift. I will try to seize the opportunity that is in front of me. Double winner at Roland-Garros (2016 and 2021), the native of Belgrade, who enters the competition this Monday against an American of Serbian origin, Aleksandar Kovacevic, is however low profile: "Alcaraz is number 1 in the world. Even though he won a Grand Slam and I won 22, he is the favorite. But first I think about my first match against a player I coached, who speaks the same language as me. I think only good about him. He is very talented, he has a return on one hand. I must not underestimate anyone. I think that the entry into the competition must be of good quality to succeed in the rest of the course." It must be said that the "Djoker" does not arrive in Paris with full confidence. Two defeats in the quarters (Rome, Banja Luka) and one in 8th (Monte-Carlo), not to mention elbow problems.

I haven't had too much success in clay tournaments, but the Grand Slam is like another sport in itself.

Novak Djokovic

Enough to sow a little doubt. But in Grand Slams, the 36-year-old champion is almost always present. He said: "I haven't had too much success in clay tournaments, but the Grand Slam is like another sport in itself. There is always a higher motivation, a higher confidence because of the successes I have achieved over the years in this type of event, all over the world, on the different surfaces, in the best of five rounds. It's longer, the format is three winning sets, and I think that works in my favor, especially with my experience. »

See alsoStan Wawrinka: "Roland-Garros will always remain at the top"

The Serb assures him. He who had suffered in the left thigh for nearly two weeks, in Australia, no longer has pain in his elbow: "I feel good at the moment. I don't have a physical problem. But my body responds differently. I don't have the same shape as I did 10 years ago. That's not why I would do things very differently." To write history, again and again.

Source: lefigaro

All sports articles on 2023-05-28

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