Novak Djokovic approaches Roland-Garros without Rafael Nadal: A Quest for History

For the first time, Novak Djokovic approaches Roland-Garros without the imposing shadow of Rafael Nadal. It’s the same for everyone but, for the Serb, the deal is different. Because he was beaten seven times by the Spaniard Porte d’Auteuil in the space of fifteen years. Because he’s his biggest rival, too.

“The fact that Rafa is not there this year is obviously a big loss for everyone and for the tournament, because he is a big name in tennis. But I must say that I do miss him not being in the main draw (smile), admit ‘No’. I haven’t had much success against him in our matchups here. I had to beat him twice, and again, I had to leave my guts on the court to achieve it.”

Do not believe that the announcement of the package of his earthly Nemesis makes him happy. “This news came as a shock to everyone, he said. People asked me how I felt. Beyond Roland-Garros, it was especially when he announced that the next season would be his last that I understood that a part of me was going to go with him when he left..”

The future departure of Nadal questions him

For a bit, he would even become nostalgic: “He is the one who has the most impact on my career, who has created the most emulation, who has helped me grow. We kept pushing each other to accomplish more and more. So, inevitably, his absence makes me think: what about my own career? How much longer am I going to play? I’m not going to make an announcement today, but it’s just that all of this gives me something to think about. So I felt a lot of emotions at this announcement, I must say.”

Djokovic will therefore not face Nadal this year at Roland-Garros. Facing him on the starting line, Alcaraz, Medvedev, Tsitsipas, Ruud, Rune, Rublev or Sinner, but above all, History. The big one. If he triumphs for the third time on clay in Paris, he will afford his 23rd major title. One more than Nadal. For the very first time in his career, he would be the sole record holder for Grand Slam victories among men.

The champion from Belgrade has never masked his intentions or his objectives. He will not caner at 36, and so much the better. He knows what he wants, and he says it. “It’s no secret, one of the main reasons I play tennis is to write history and break records.he recalls. It is an important source of motivation and inspiration for me.. At this stage of my career, all Grand Slams are a gift. I will try to seize the opportunity that is in front of me.”

Smart, he did not hesitate to stick the label of the favorite behind Carlos Alcaraz’s back. “He is number 1 in the world. He also won major titles on clay this season. This makes him the favorite. Even though he won a Grand Slam and I 22, he’s the favorite.” The analysis makes sense, especially since, for his part, Djokovic will rarely have shone so little before arriving at Roland-Garros.

But does all of this really matter? The answer is no, and you just have to listen to the main interested party to be convinced: “A Grand Slam is a different tournament. It’s even a different sport. It’s longer, the format is in three winning sets, and I think that works in my favor, especially with my experience..”

To sum it up ‘kids, you had a great time, but now that it really matters daddy Novak is coming back to remind you who’s boss.’ Even if he admits that he is no longer in the same physical condition as he was ten years ago, you can sense a higher level of confidence and a different state of mind in him four times a year.

“There is always a higher confidence because there is a higher motivation, because of the successes that I have had over the years in this type of event, all over the world, on different surfaces. So part of me, of course, feels confidence and longs for victory. But I also have to be humble because things are not the same as in the past physically. My feelings on the court are no longer the same.“

Despite everything, the lights seem to be green for the Serb, between the absence of Nadal and a medical check up without warning, according to him. The Djoker had elbow problems this spring, but nothing dramatic. “I feel good right now. I have no physical problem that could be a cause for concern“, he swears. Nothing to do in any case with the last Australian Open, when his left thigh had bothered him for almost two weeks.

Even if Alcaraz is seeded number one, and the main favorite, therefore, if Medvedev has discovered a new passion for crushed bricks and if Rune is advancing quickly, the quest for the 23rd Major and the record that would accompany it is a matter of Legitimate ambition, not utopia. History hovers over Paris and awaits it.