Novak Djokovic has won everything when it comes to the sport of tennis, and once again, he’s in the mood for silverware at the French Open.
Of the four majors, the Roland Garros event has proved the least successful for Djokovic, but then he has had to contend with the clay-court juggernaut that is Rafael Nadal for a number of years, he’s been playing this tournament.
Djokovic won his 100th match at Roland Garros by beating Cameron Norrie on Monday, and now he faces the mouthwatering prospect of taking on Alexander Zverev for a place in the final four.
The Serbian legend is looking in great shape going into the match, which will take place on Court Philippe-Chatrier tomorrow and with a night-time slot, the stadium should be packed out for the two giants of the sport.
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Novak Djokovic shares what he’s changed at the coin toss
The coin toss is a big part of tennis, just like it is in other sports, but in tennis, it perhaps holds more significant meaning.
Getting a first service game out of the way and getting a game on the board is the preference of some players, whilst others prefer to throw the pressure on the opponents and choose to receive.
Djokovic admits that he’s recently changed how he negotiates the coin toss, doing something different to what he used to in the early stages of his career.
He said in his press conference: “It’s an interesting question because at the beginning of my career, even though I really liked my chances when serving, I was relying more on the return, so I would start returning. I would always choose the toss.
“If I get the coin toss, I would choose to return. I don’t know the last 10 years I would be only choosing to serve. I just feel that sets a tone in some way.
“You also send a message to your opponent like ‘Hey, I am not afraid to start serving and start the match with the right statement’.
“Sometimes I start slowly and lose my first service games, and then you start to question your decision making, but I still, regardless of that, feel like it is important.
“It is important for your own confidence to send a message to your opponent as well.
“But, of course, it is all different. Nadal, for example, would always choose to receive.
“We are all different. It also depends on the service, I think, a little bit. When I played with Rafa on clay, he would always choose to receive, but on the other surface, if it’s quicker, then he would vary between the choices.”
Djokovic still leaving no stone unturned for success
You have to go all the way back to 2023 for Djokovic to be standing in the winner’s circle following the final match at a Grand Slam tournament.
With Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner now the players trying to dominate the game, Djokovic endured a difficult 2024 and didn’t collect a major title.
Now, he’s looking in good shape once again and the hope is that he can win that elusive 25th Grand Slam before the time comes for him to sail off into the sunset.
It’s fascinating that he’s even considered mixing up his strategy and approach to something as innocent as a coin toss, but that sums up Djokovic.
The legend and his team are always keen to look at new initiatives and tweaks to make things better, and clearly, whatever he’s been doing coming into this tournament is clearly paying off.
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