Novak Djokovic began his preparations for Roland Garros this week at the Monte Carlo Masters, a title which he won back in 2013, ending Rafael Nadal’s eight year dominance. It is no secret that the world number one wants to do the same in Paris and he will be desperate to claim the French Open more than any other title on tour.
The successful Serbian has recently moved into sixth in the all-time rankings for weeks spent as top of the ATP rankings. However, there is one record which will be preying on his mind even more—the chance to join Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal in the record books as one of the men to have won all four Grand Slams; something very few ‘great’ players have been able to do in both men’s and women’s tennis. Achieving this will seal his place in the annuls of tennis history as one of the greatest of all time.
Djokovic has started his year in impressive fashion, winning the Australian Open as well as back-to-back Masters 1000 titles on the American hard-courts—a stark contrast to his clay-court nemesis Nadal. The ‘King of Clay’ hasn’t quite found his form yet in 2015, losing early in Australia and Miami.
The Serb opened his bid to claim a second Monte Carlo title in ruthless fashion, recording an easy victory over Albert Ramos of Spain 6-1 6-4 in just under 90 minutes. Djokovic maintained his usual high standards throughout the match and extended his winning streak to thirteen matches following his back-to-back title wins at Indian Wells and Miami last month.
It is as of yet unknown as to how Rafa will fair in Monte Carlo; he plays either Dominic Thiem or Lucas Pouille in his opening match. The nine-time French Open champion stated in a recent interview that he is heading into the clay-court season in the worst form of his career; a confession which will no doubt spur on fierce rival Djokovic even more.
Rafael Nadal has only ever lost one match at the French Open in his ten visits to Paris, falling to Robin Soderling in 2009. However unprepared Nadal looks heading into the clay-court season, he always manages to find his form in Paris, beating hotly-tipped Djokovic to the title in 2014, after he again looked doubtful going into his title defence.
Despite his many wins Rafael Nadal has been visibly struggling in 2015 while Novak has been looking as impressive as he did back in 2011 when he went unbeaten in 41 matches until Roland Garros in June. Could it finally be the year Djokovic claims the elusive Grand Slam on the red dirt and firmly secure his place as one of the greatest players of all time?
