French Open: Djokovic looking unbeatable in build up

By Geoff Nichols | May 22, 2015

French Open: Djokovic looking unbeatable in build up

Novak Djokovic has been known to get visibly frustrated in matches where he doesn’t think the crowd are fully appreciating or at least respecting his talents. It is strange situation in tennis where despite being the dominant force for the last few years, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal still command top billing.

To a large degree it has been a similar story for Djokovic in 2015. Sure he gets lauded for his abilities, but does that praise match a player who has gone 35-2 this season. These two losses came in lesser tour events that he entered, one against Karlovic in Doha and then against Federer in Dubai.

He has swept all the challenges that have confronted him and even when I thought he was having a little wobble in Rome having skipped Madrid, he still won the event with energy to spare. He is so focussed on winning the French Open, to the point where winning Rome almost seemed like a training exercise.

More from French Open

It is the missing piece of the puzzle for Djokovic, who will complete a career Grand Slam in Paris if he lifts the title. He has not been shy about how much it means to him and going into the event he is the clear favourite, streets ahead of the likes of Nadal, Murray and Federer.

Yet once again there is the curious case of why nobody is really talking about Djokovic. Nadal has stolen most of the headlines and by drawing the Serbian number one is his quarter, Djokovic by proxy has been dragged into the conversation.

Even Andy Murray has been enjoying extended coverage having hit form on the clay for really the first time in his career. So much was made of his Masters win in Madrid and rightly so, yet we have come so accustomed to Djokovic lifting Masters titles that his three wins this year combined have probably been discusses less.

Djokovic is mightily impressive. He sets the standard for a professional athlete, although I would argue to he is almost too faultless to be the model professional the younger generation should aspire to. It almost seems unachievable to be a Djokovic, whereas hard work could make you a Murray, a Berdych or even a Ferrer.

The French Open draw has not been overly kind to Djokovic, but probabilities were against him before a ball was drawn. He has pulled the short straw by getting Nadal in his quarter, although don’t be surprised to see the Spaniard dispatched in three easy sets.

Even the prospect of facing Nadal, then Murray and finally Federer won’t intimidate Djokovic. You can be sure he will rise to the challenge. Three consecutive five setters probably wouldn’t be enough for me to bet against, it seems like destiny for him to finally win Roland Garros.

Next: What can Rafael Nadal achieve on the clay?

More from Lob and Smash

Home/French Open