GENEVA.- Novak Djokoviccurrent champion of Roland Garrosconsiders that Rafael Nadal is the favorite for the 2024 edition of the Parisian Grand Slam (May 26-June 9), although he admitted that this year he is more open than ever.
“When you talk about Roland Garros and Nadal is there, for me he is always the top favorite,” declared 'Nole' in Geneva, although the presence of the Spaniard at Roland Garros, who won fourteen times, still is in doubt due to the physical problems that have accompanied him this season.
However, and even though Djokovic does not hide that Nadal's performance has decreased considerably compared to his golden times, the main racket on the planet maintains that his rival's history on the sacred clay must be respected.
“Evidently he is a little different with his level of play. But it is Roland Garros and it is Nadal (…) and with the respect that is due to him, it is normal to place him as a favorite,” added the Serbian, who clarified that ” This year it is more open.”
Other contenders for Djokovic:
Although Nadal is the top candidate in the eyes of “Nole”, he is not the only real contender for the title that the Serbian should worry about, something that the award-winning tennis player is very clear about.
“Casper Ruud is surely one of the five players who are candidates for victory,” continued the world number one. “We also have Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, all the players who have won a big tournament on that surface this year. And then, maybe me, if I feel good (…) “At Roland Garros, and at all the Grand Slams, I am a slightly different player.”
Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam tournament titles on his record, turned 37 last Friday. So far in 2024 he has not won any title or reached any final.
