Novak Djokovic is no longer the biggest favorite to win every Grand Slam he enters but you can discount him at your own risk.
Former British #1 Laura Robson believes those writing the 24-time GS champion off do not consider what he is still capable of achieving despite living through the twilight of his career.
Djokovic will celebrate his 37th birthday on Wednesday as the reigning ATP #1 but he has endured his most rocky start to a year since he became a major champion.
The World #1 was dethroned as defending Australian Open champion after his semifinal loss against Jannik Sinner and was then handed shock losses by Luca Nardi at Indian Wells and Alejandro Tabilo at Italian Open. Djokovic decision to participate in this week’s Geneva Open reflects his desire to find some rhythm and confidence ahead of Roland Garros but Robson is convinced he will find his touch ahead of a loaded summer schedule that includes a plus one to grab with the Paris Olympics.
“It’s so unusual for him not to be in peak form leading up to a Slam, but then there are other times when it’s happened and he has been totally fine by the time he gets to the third round and plays through a few matches,” Robson told Tennis365 as she prepares to join the Eurosport and discovery+ team at Roland Garros.
“He has so much confidence in these situations and you can only have that belief by winning as much as he has in his life.
“To beat him in a Slam is very, very tough to do. So I would put him in as one of the top three favorites for the tournament. Novak Djokovic is going to be just fine when he gets to a Slam.
“Everyone has dips, but he doesn’t have many. So when he does, it’s blown out of proportion.
“All players have times when they have periods where they are working on things in practice that they can’t put on to the match court, but if anyone can figure it out, it’s going to be Novak Djokovic. He knows what he needs to do in a best-of-five set match better than anybody.”
Robson joined the group of tennis critics who were surprised by Djokovic’s decision to enter the Geneva Open when he was truncating his schedule in the tour by skipping Masters 1000 in Miami and Madrid.
“I was really surprised to see him play a 250 this week,” continued Robson, as she reflected on his appearance in the lower-level ATP Tour event that has just 250 ranking points available to the winner.
“You want to be as fresh as possible heading into a Grand Slam because it is a long two weeks, so who knows how he will feel if he goes deep into the tournament in Geneva.
“You have to spend an extra hour out on the court, you have to deal with the nerves over potentially a long five-set match and that’s not always easy, but he has been around for long enough to understand what he needs ahead of a Slam.”
Robson also feels there are more serious contenders for the title in Paris than we have seen for the last couple of decades at a tourney that has been dominated by 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal. Robson backed Zverev, Medvedev and Tsitsipas as the big guns for the title fight.
“Six or seven men could win the French Open and we have not said that for a very, very long time,” added Robson.
“I think it’s more exciting, but we also have issues with injuries around Alcaraz and Sinner. Then you look at Djokovic and he is not where he would want to be the week before a Slam, so that gives others a chance.
“Zverev, Medvedev and Tsistipas will all think they have a chance. I’d also throw in a dark horse in someone like Holger Rune and it’s nice that this tournament is so open.
“For the men to have a bit variety is nice as we have had the ‘Big 4’ for so long winning tournaments and it is great to see some new names in the mix, but I still think the top players who have done it before will always be tough to beat in a best-of-five situation.”