Novak Djokovic says he felt like ‘Bambi on Ice’ due to the conditions at French Open recalling Federer-Nadal’s Battle of Surfaces

Novak Djokovic scratches his way through the first set before bringing his best in the next two.

Novak Djokovic says he felt like ‘Bambi on Ice’ due to the conditions at French Open recalling Federer-Nadal’s Battle of Surfaces

Novak Djokovic AND Battle of Surfaces (Image via CNN and Youtube)

Court conditions are the biggest challenge sometimes. Top players don’t really prepare for their opponents. They rather prepare for the conditions they are going to play in. If you master the conditions once, you are very sure about your own game. That’s most important to be successful.

With the wind picking up in Paris, it was a hard-fought battle for the players. The surface itself has its own challenges, and on top of that, if the wind comes in the way, it can only get worse. Novak Djokovic, in his second-round match, didn’t only have to battle Marton Fuscovics. He had to fight the wind too.

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Djokovic was struggling with his timing in the first set. Despite being 3-0 in the lead, he let it slip and allowed Fuscovics to enforce a tiebreaker. Djokovic eventually won the tiebreaker. However, the struggle was very much evident. In his post-match interview with Eurosport, the Serb had this to say. “The wind was blowing extremely hard from one end. I actually thought of [Rafael] Nadal and [Roger] Federer’s exhibition match in Spain when they played half of the court grass, half clay.

“That was how I felt today. Like ‘Bambi on ice’ on one end. It’s quite windy these days but normally once the sun comes down the intensity of the wind also comes down but it wasn’t the case tonight. It’s tough for the timing and to find a right distance to the ball.”

Apart from describing the issues that arise with the wind, the Serb also mentioned the battle of surfaces clash between Federer and Nadal.

In that match, both sides of the court had a different surface. Djokovic, too felt something similar as the effect of the wind on one side was much greater than the other. Djokovic somehow fought his way out and, from the start of the second set, looked invincible. He took the match in straight sets 7-6 6-0 6-3.

Related: Holger Rune ready to ‘do anything’ to win the French Open after a nervy first round win

Novak Djokovic marches on in Paris

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Novak Djokovic (Image via CNN)

Novak Djokovic has once again dismissed his second-round opponent as he moves into the Round of 32 in Paris. Djokovic, so far, has looked the best in the 128 that have competed. With Daniil Medvedev out and Carlos Alcaraz looking slightly iffy in his second-round match, Djokovic senses glory once again in the French capital. For him, it is extremely important to stay fit and away from controversy.

The only two things that can bother him are his own body and his comments. If he manages to keep safe, he can lift the event for the third time. He will next face Alejandro Davidovich Fokina. The 29th seed has looked very solid after knocking out two locals in his two matches. He won’t be that easy for Djokovic, and the Serb will have to be on his A game. The battles get tougher as you move deeper into the draw. However, the experience and guile of Djokovic can see him through.

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