“Right now, Novak Djokovic” Patrick McEnroe overlooks Rafael Nadal as he backs the Serbian for the French Open


“Right now, Novak Djokovic” Patrick McEnroe overlooks Rafael Nadal as he backs the Serbian for the French Open

Patrick McEnroe, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic has finally found his form which was on display at the 2022 Rome Masters where he clinched his 6th tournament title and did it in style by dropping a bagel in the finals and winning the tournament without dropping a single set.

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After a troubled start to the season that saw him play only one hardcourt event till April, Novak played a full Claycourt season and over the course of Golden Swing, has shrugged off his rustiness that was visible when he made his season debut and it is safe to say that the 20-time Grand Slam champion is ready to compete for yet another major.

With the 2022 French Open coming up in less than a week’s time, tennis fans are picking sides on who will be the favourite for the Roland Garros title this year. With Novak being the defending champion this year and Rafael Nadal being the 13-time champion in Paris, the two players are pitted against each other once again for the major.

“Normally I would say Nadal is the favourite. Djokovic got him at the French last year, but I still think he (Nadal)’s the favourite, all things being equal. But, I think, I’m leaning towards Djokovic at the moment despite the fact that Alcaraz got him in Madrid. Altitude there, the ball jumping a little bit more, and Novak’s starting to find his range. Right now, I’m going Djokovic as the slight favourite,” said Patrick McEnroe speaking on the ‘Holding Court with Patrick McEnroe’ podcast.

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Contrasting journeys of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in reaching the French Open

Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal
Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal

After his best career start to the season, which saw Nadal win 20 matches on the trot and three titles on the way, he picked up a stress fracture in his rib and missed the Claycourt season’s start as he made his debut on the surface at the 2022 Madrid Masters where he lost in the quarter-finals before going out limping in a 3rd round exit at the 2022 Rome Masters.

Djokovic had a rough start that saw him play only 1 tournament till April, the 2022 Dubai Tennis Championships in February. He then made his Clay debut at the 2022 Monte-Carlo Masters where he lost in the second round. But he has improved since then reaching the finals in the Belgrade Open, semi-finals in Madrid and the title in Rome.

Also Read: “When am I going to lose?” Iga Swiatek talks about the pressure of her ongoing winning streak and her plans for Paris

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