As Novak Djokovic enters the French Open, he faces a string of indifferent clay-court performances. However, despite his recent form, few would be surprised if the Serbian legend lifts the Musketeers' Trophy for the third time.
With Rafael Nadal absent due to injury, Djokovic has an opportunity to surpass him in the Grand Slam race and secure his 23rd major title, further strengthening his case in the GOAT (Greatest Of All Time) debate.
While Nadal's absence may provide an advantage for Djokovic, he still has another Spanish contender on his radar — 20-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, who is determined to forge his own path to greatness.
Alcaraz has emerged as a formidable force on clay and is narrowly favored by bookmakers over Djokovic to win the French Open. Even Djokovic himself acknowledges Alcaraz's prowess, dubbing him the "player to beat" on this surface.
Despite his previous victories at Roland Garros in 2021 and 2016, clay has never been Djokovic's preferred surface. The slower pace and variation of clay courts are less suited to his attacking style of play.
However, Djokovic's relentless determination and adaptability have allowed him to overcome such challenges in the past, making him a formidable contender on any surface.
Beyond the immediate tournament, Djokovic has his sights set on a historic milestone. A victory at the French Open would mark his 23rd major title, surpassing Nadal and Roger Federer, and further solidify his claim as the greatest player of all time.
The pursuit of this record serves as additional motivation for Djokovic to excel on the clay of Roland Garros.
His build-up has been clouded by an elbow injury which he said was bothering him before he withdrew from the Madrid tournament.
His return at Rome ended in the quarter-finals with defeat by Holger Rune, the Danish wunderkind who also upset him on a Paris hard court last year.
Having long stalled the rise of the next generation of men's tennis in concert with the other members of the 'Big Three' - Nadal and Roger Federer - Djokovic conceded their time had come.
"A new generation is here already," he said after his Rome defeat.
At 36, and having seen Nadal's struggles, Djokovic may feel time is against him.
However, the Grand Slam aura remains.
Apart from Nadal, the only player that has beaten him at the majors since 2020 is Russian Daniil Medvedev at the 2021 US Open final.
His former coach Boris Becker believes it would be foolish to write him off.
"As long as he’s healthy, and as long as he wants to play, he is always going to be one of the favourites to win a Grand Slam," the German told The Guardian.
Even when neither 100% fit nor healthy, Djokovic's hunger for success and incredible mental strength are generally enough to pull him through.
At the Australian Open he battled a hamstring tear and plenty of off-court drama to claim his 10th title at Melbourne Park in January.
Young guns be warned.
(With Reuters inputs)
