A Roland-Garros,
The insatiable record hunter is aiming for a 23rd major title at Roland-Garros to become, for the first time in his career, the only record holder for Grand Slam victories for men just ahead of Rafael Nadal (22), the great absentee from these Internationals of France. The Serb does not hide it. He plays for history: “He’s an important source of motivation and inspiration for me. At this point in my career, all Grand Slams are a gift. I will try to seize the opportunity that is in front of me. “Double winner at Roland-Garros (2016 and 2021), the native of Belgrade, who enters the running this Monday against an American of Serbian origin, Aleksandar Kovacevic, however, keeps a low profile: “Alcaraz is world number 1. Even though he won a Grand Slam and I 22, he is the favorite. But I think first of my first match against a player I coached, who speaks the same language as me. I only think well of him. He is very talented, he has a return on one hand. I must not underestimate anyone. I think that the entry into the running must be of good quality to succeed the rest of the course. It must be said that the “Djoker” does not arrive in Paris with full confidence. Two defeats in the quarterfinals (Rome, Banja Luka) and one in the round of 16 (Monte-Carlo), five matches on ocher this season and three defeats, not to mention elbow problems.
What sow a little doubt. But in Grand Slam, the 36-year-old champion almost always responds. He doesn’t say anything else: “I haven’t had too much success in clay court tournaments, but the Grand Slam is like another sport in itself. There’s always a higher motivation, a higher confidence because of the successes I’ve had over the years in these types of events, all over the world, on the different surfaces, in the best of five rounds . It’s longer, the format is in three winning sets, and I think that works in my favor, especially with my experience. »
The Serb assures him. He who had suffered in his left thigh for almost two weeks in Australia, no longer has pain in his elbow: “I feel good at the moment. I have no physical problem. But my body responds differently. I don’t have the same form as 10 years ago. That’s not why I would do things very differently.” To write history, again and again.
