Novak Djokovic has acknowledged that world number one Jannik Sinner stands as the dominant force at this year’s French Open, even as the 39-year-old Serb pursues a 25th Grand Slam title that would make him the most decorated player in the history of the sport.
Speaking in Paris on Friday, Djokovic was generous and measured in his praise for the Italian, who arrives at Roland Garros on a 29-match winning streak, having won the last six Masters events and become only the second man in history, after Djokovic himself, to win all nine Masters 1000 titles.
“It is an incredible feat for him and his team. Being one of the two guys who have managed in history to win the Golden Masters, I know how challenging that is. So I want to congratulate him because it is quite an achievement and he is really young, he still has a lot of time ahead of him,” Djokovic said.
Sinner, 24, is chasing the one Grand Slam title that has so far eluded him and is on course for his own Golden Slam should he go on to win the tournament. The absence of double-defending champion Carlos Alcaraz through injury has further strengthened the Italian’s position as overwhelming favourite.
“He is going for his Golden Slam as well here if I am not mistaken. He is maybe in the form of his life, and without Carlos being here it also increases his chances even more of claiming more Grand Slam titles. So we are all here to try to win against him and prevent him from taking more titles,” Djokovic said.
Djokovic and Sinner have been drawn on opposite sides, meaning they cannot meet before the final on 7 June. The Serb, seeded third, lost the Australian Open final to Alcaraz in January and has reached at least the semi-finals at each of the past five Grand Slams, making him the most credible threat to Sinner should the Italian be stopped before the final.
He was candid about the challenges he faces, however. His clay-court preparation this season has been minimal. After losing to Jack Draper in the round of 16 at Indian Wells in March, he played only one warm-up match on the red dirt before Roland Garros, losing in his opening match in Rome to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic. That limited schedule was not by choice.
“I wanted to play more, but my body was not allowing me. I was going through rehabilitation for my shoulder injury. After Indian Wells, it was just not possible for me to compete for several months,” he said.
He added that his appearance in Rome, despite being far from match-ready, was a deliberate decision simply to feel competitive nerves before the French Open.
“I needed at least that one match just to have the score called by a chair umpire and experience the nerves before I eventually came to Roland Garros, which at that point I did not know if I was going to be able to play or not,” he said.
Despite the fitness concerns, Djokovic was clear that his belief in his own ability remained unshaken.
“I have proven that in Australia this year where I was close to winning another Slam. I always have that belief in me when I am on the court. If I am able to maintain that level of freshness and progress, I feel like I always have a very good chance,” he said.
Djokovic begins his 22nd Roland Garros campaign against big-serving French wildcard Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
