“I know what I’m capable of” – Djokovic keeping expectations low, but hopes high at Roland-Garros
The Serb enters this year’s tournament in an unusually vulnerable position, having not yet picked up a title or reached a final in 2024 so far
Novak Djokovic at Roland-Garros (Michael Baucher/Panoramic)
Novak Djokovic enters this year’s Roland-Garros in a context with little precedent.
Only twice before in his glittering career has the 24-time Grand Slam champion headed into the season’s second major without a title to his name.
One of those occasions was back in the heady days of 2006, two years before the Serb had landed his maiden Grand Slam title. The other was in 2018, just as Djokovic was about to emerge from a two-year slump to rise to the summit of the sport once more.
Yet, after one of the most successful seasons in his extraordinary time on tour, 2024 has thus far been a troubled one for the world No 1.
Not only is Djokovic yet to win a title, he has also failed to reached the final in any of his five tournament outings this season (six if including the United Cup). Across this period, the typically imperious Serb has compiled a modest 14-6 win-loss record.
djokovic yet again looking for perfect timing to peak at Roland-garros
Yet, not for nothing is Djokovic the all-time men’s Grand Slam record holder. Time and again when he has looked vulnerable, the world No 1 finds the right level at the right time, rising to his devastating best form during the Grand Slam fortnights.
As Djokovic himself has intimated, there is little reason to suggest he won’t be able to do the same this year.
“I would say that I know what I’m capable of,” was how he put it in a press conference on the opening day of the tournament.
“Particularly in the Grand Slams I normally play the best tennis, at least I aim always to play the best tennis, and I was most of my career able to do that, so that’s the goal.”
The logic is clear – Djokovic has won Grand Slam titles after weeks of poor form on many occasions. One that should be of particular pertinence was his victory in Paris last year, when much of the conversation surrounding the world No 1 was similar to this season.
Despite winning the Australian Open, Djokovic came into Roland-Garros 2023 without a clay-court title and with his form looking uncharacteristically shaky.
What followed was yet another superb Grand Slam-winning title run – his 23rd in total.
“I have been saying, you know, for quite a while that in terms of clay I want to peak here in Paris, in Roland Garros,” he continued.
“Last year I had an amazing year, and particularly here in Roland Garros, and hopefully I can, yeah, have a great tournament.”
rare vulnerability for Djokovic, but he remains a perennial threat
Nevertheless, there is little doubt that Djokovic’s 2024 has been uniquely disappointing for the Serb. Not only has his form been well below par, but he has repeatedly lost routine matches to lower-ranked players with displays far below his usual quality.
Djokovic himself admits this is cause for some concern.
“Of course it does affect me, you know, the five months that I had so far in the year that haven’t been great in terms of my tennis,” he explained.
“That’s why I have, you know, a kind of an approach that is focused on a daily basis more trying to build the form and momentum so that I can have a better chance to reach further in the tournament.”
As Roland-Garros 2024 looks set to be the most open on the men’s side in years, with injuries, inconsistency and impending retirements all posing great question marks for the ATP side of the draw, there is a golden opportunity for those top players yet to win a Grand Slam to seize the chance for their first.
But it would be greatly fool-hardy to assume that Djokovic – a 3-time winner and the defending champion here in Paris – does not remain one of the biggest threats lurking in the draw.
At the very beginning of today’s press conference, Djokovic was asked how he felt mentally prior to his year’s tournament.
The manner of the response was very telling.
“Low expectations and high hopes,” the Serb replied simply, with his trademark wry and ever-knowing smile.
