Novak Djokovic backs Rafael Nadal for French Open title

GENEVA – Novak Djokovic revealed on May 21 that Rafael Nadal was his favourite to win the French Open, despite the record 14-time champion struggling for fitness in the twilight of his career.

The world No. 1 Serb was tuning up at the Geneva Open in Switzerland this week before the second Grand Slam of the year begins in Paris on May 26.

He said that as long as Nadal was in the French Open draw, the Spaniard could not be ruled out, despite his injury problems and growing competition from a younger generation.

“This year is more open,” French Open defending champion Djokovic said in Geneva.

“Casper Ruud is surely one of the five players who are candidates to win.

“You have Alexander Zverev, Andrey Rublev, Stefanos Tsitsipas – all the players who won a tournament on this surface this year.

“But when you talk about Roland Garros and Nadal is there, he is always the biggest favourite for me.”

When asked about why he feels this way, the record 24-time Grand Slam champion added: “After everything he has done on the courts at Roland Garros, it’s normal, respectfully to put him as the biggest favourite.

“Obviously it’s a little different with his level of play. But it’s Roland Garros, and it’s Nadal. After that, maybe me, if I feel good, if I play well.”

Djokovic, who just turned 37 on May 22, took a wild card to play in Geneva in a bid to rescue an alarming dip in form ahead of his French Open title defence.

He will arrive in Paris without a title in the season for the first time since 2018, unless he wins Geneva.

While time has caught up with the 37-year-old Nadal, the Serb said he was still hungry to keep playing at the top.

“I’m searching for my highest possible level,” he said.

“It’s not an obligation. It’s truly my desire, my feeling, my passion, my love for tennis. That’s the most important. I’m seeking to stay connected with that feeling.”

Djokovic also said he knew Geneva well as he has cousins in the Swiss city, though he has never played at the Geneva Tennis Club before.

“At this moment, there is no better practice for me than match play. So I feel like I need more matches,” he added.

“That’s the way for me to try to find the kind of form that I need for Roland Garros.”

Taking a little time off tennis, Djokovic was at the Stade de Geneve on May 20 to witness Young Boys winning a 17th Swiss football championship with a 1-0 victory over hosts Servette – a team he has a longstanding fondness for.

Djokovic said that one of his cousins was set to marry a Servette player – French midfielder Timothe Cognat, according to Swiss media.

His best friend, and best man at his wedding, is defender Neven Markovic, who played for Servette from 2013 to 2015.

“That’s why I’m supporting the club,” Djokovic said, jovially adding that Markovic could perhaps best be categorised as a “very physical player”.

“I’m not a football expert – but he’s a crazy guy.”

Meanwhile, the dream of one more match between Andy Murray, who is also 37, and Djokovic evaporated on May 21 as the Scot tumbled out of the Geneva Open on his comeback from an ankle injury.

Murray was 7-5, 4-1 down to Yannick Hanfmann when a thunderstorm lashed the grounds on May 20. They resumed a day later, with the German world No. 85 taking little more than 10 minutes to win the second set 6-2.

Hanfmann took on Djokovic on May 22 – the result of their match was unavailable at press time. AFP