Novak Djokovic might still be the world’s number one, but the Serbian ace admits Rafael Nadal will be the favourite to take the title when he returns to live tennis action at the French Open.
Djokovic did have the edge on Nadal in 2011 and in the early stages of this year, with seven consecutive victories over the Spaniard in ATP Tour finals.
Those wins included two successes on Nadal’s favourite surface of clay – in last year’s Masters events in Rome and Madrid – with both won in straight sets.
But the Australian Open champion has been beaten in their last two meetings in Monte Carlo and now in Rome, where Nadal won the tournament for the sixth time with a 7-5 6-3 victory.
As both players prepare for the French Open, Djokovic concedes that Nadal will still be the man to beat at Roland Garros – as the world number two goes in search of a seventh victory in Paris.
Speaking to atptour.com, the 24-year-old: “He is always the favourite, even if I win against him seven times. He is the best player in the world on this surface.
Djokovic added: “If you don’t use the opportunities against Rafa he gets momentum. I made a lot of errors which should not happen when you play against Nadal.
The world number one, who is the subject of several exciting tennis betting offers ahead of the tournament, remains upbeat though about his chances of winning a first French Open title, insisting he will go to Paris with “confidence” after “playing a great week” in Rome.
Djokovic is yet to reach the final at Roland Garros, losing in the last four on three separate occasions – including last year when he was beaten by Roger Federer.
