Novak Djokovic is aiming for his fourth Roland Garros crowd but one tennis journalist does not count him as one of the favourites.
The Serbian is aiming for a record-extending 25th major and fourth at Roland Garros and should he reach the final, he will remain at the top of the ATP rankings.
However, Djokovic has not enjoyed the best season so far and he has yet to win a title. The 36-year-old has played just six clay court matches in 2024 so far, which is his lowest number since 2006.
This has led to speculation about whether Djokovic can rediscover his best form in Paris, and one pundit has doubts he can achieve this.
What did this tennis pundit say about Novak Djokovic’s French Open chances?
With the French Open less than two weeks away those around the tennis world are predicting who may come out on top.
Djokovic and Rafael Nadal have dominated at the clay court Grand Slam. They have won each edition of the tournament between them on all but two occasions times since 2005.
But with both of the game’s legendary figures suffering from a lack of matches and recent injuries, a member of the Game to Love Tennis Podcast boldly named five players he thinks have a better shot of winning the French Open than Djokovic.
“I think this is a very telling Grand Slam because maybe it’s the first Grand Slam in recent history where I don’t think Djokovic us in the conversation for top five to win a Grand Slam,” they commented.
“I don’t think that’s happened in many years. When has there ever been a Grand Slam where you put either Nadal, Djokoic or Federer in the top five players to win a slam.
“Right now Djokovic is outside my top five that might surprise some people, and Nadal is certainly nowhere near it.
“If you’re looking at the state of play, I’d put Sinner, Alcaraz and Medvedev all above Djokovic. And between Zverev, Rublev, Tsitsipas and Hurkacz, two of those names I think are more dominant than Novak Djokovic right now.”
What has happened in Novak Djokovic’s clay court season?
Djokovic began 2024 with a defeat to Jannik Sinner in the Australian Open semifinals and did not play again until Indian Wells, where he was beaten by qualifier Luca Nardi in round three.
The 24-time major winner reached the semi-finals in Monte Carlo, before experiencing the first defeat of his career to Casper Ruud.
Djokovic has won just one match since then, as he withdrew from the Madrid Open and suffered a heavy 6-2, 6-3 loss to Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo in Rome.
This result came two days after a water bottle slipped from a fan’s bag and hit him on the head while signing autographs after beating Corentin Moutet. In his post-match press conference, Djokovic described his poor performance.
“The way I felt on the court today was just completely like a different player entered into my shoes,” he said. “Just no rhythm, no tempo, no balance whatsoever on any shot. It’s a bit concerning.”
Reports state Djokovic suffered no lasting damage from the water bottle incident and he will do everything in his power to prepare to win another major.
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