BELGRADE: World number one Novak Djokovic will travel to Roland Garros after an irregular start to the season on clay and aware that he needs to improve his game if he is to have a chance of clinching a 19th Grand Slam title.
After wiping out Daniil Medvedev in the final to win the Australian Open in February, Djokovic made a surprise last 16 exit at the Monte Carlo Masters against Briton Dan Evans before losing to Russian Aslan Karatsev in the half. Serbian Open final.
In the loss to Karatsev at his own tennis center in Belgrade, the frustrated Djokovic converted just five of 28 break points as the Russian took revenge for a straight set loss to the Serbian in the semi-final of the ‘Australian Open.
Djokovic improved to reach the Rome Masters final, but fell to eternal rival Rafael Nadal, leaving the Spaniard the favorite to clinch a record 14th title at Roland Garros.
Heading into this week’s Belgrade Open, Djokovic was pleased with his progress, although he admitted he needed to polish his game if he was to have a chance of winning a second Roland Garros title. .

“I’m happy with my performance in Rome, especially my level of fitness, because I’m confident I had enough in the tank to play the best of five games (set),” Djokovic said during an online press conference before participating in the Belgrade Open.
“It was always my priority to be in great shape in Paris. I am working on details of my game that need to be improved in time for Roland Garros because I want to shine in the City of Lights.
“The clay is a demanding surface but I hope to be able to go all the way at Roland Garros. I did specific sets of exercises aimed at increasing my speed and making myself more dynamic.”

Besides Nadal, who will become the all-time male leader with 21 major titles if he retains his Roland Garros crown, Djokovic will also be wary of several other rivals looking to make an impact.
Alexander Zverev will be bursting with confidence after winning the Madrid Masters, having beaten Nadal in the quarter-finals before ending the week with wins over Dominic Thiem and Matteo Berrettini.
Zverev then lost to Nadal in the quarter-finals in Rome, but the Spaniard and Djokovic know the 24-year-old German can do damage on his best day.
Italy’s Berrettini will have high hopes of being a dark horse after following his Serbian Open triumph with a second place finish in Madrid, while world number four Thiem could also be formidable opposition if he reaches the top. top speed.