Love him or hate him, Novak Djokovic is currently the best men’s tennis player in the world. After securing his seventh Australian Open title in January, the Serbian star has his sights set on the French Open. A victory at Roland Garros in June would mean he holds all four major Grand Slam titles at the same time for the second time in his career, a truly historic achievement.
The Dominant Force in Men’s Tennis
There is no question that on current form, Djokovic is the man to beat. His victory in Australia was his third consecutive Grand Slam win, extending his winning streak in major tournaments to 21 matches.
This incredible run has solidified his position at the top of the sport. You’d be hard pressed to back against the world number one right now, as he continues to display a level of tennis that few can match. His consistency and all-court game make him a formidable opponent on any surface.
With an ageing Roger Federer becoming more selective with his tournament schedule, Djokovic has firmly established himself as the best in the business. At 31, he still has plenty of time to add to his 15 Grand Slam titles and could be entering another era of dominance.
A Second “Nole Slam” on the Horizon
Winning the French Open would see Djokovic hold all four major titles simultaneously, a feat famously dubbed the “Nole Slam”. He first accomplished this amazing achievement in 2015-16, becoming the first man since the legendary Rod Laver in 1969 to do so.
Doing it for a second time will cement his status as one of the all-time greats. This accomplishment would further enhance his legacy and make an undeniable case for him in the “greatest of all time” debate, a conversation often dominated by Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal.
For a player who has sometimes been overlooked by the wider tennis community, this is a golden opportunity to make a definitive statement.
The Ultimate Obstacle: The King of Clay
Standing directly in Djokovic’s path to greatness is the undisputed ‘King of Clay’, Rafael Nadal. The French Open is Nadal’s domain, and many believe this is his tournament to lose every year.
To understand Nadal’s mastery at Roland Garros, one only needs to look at the numbers. His record on the Parisian clay is simply staggering.
- He has been crowned French Open champion 11 times since 2005.
- The Spaniard boasts an unbelievable 98% win rate at the tournament.
If Nadal plays at his brilliant best, not even an in-form Djokovic will oust him. A potential final between these two titans is a thrilling prospect for tennis fans, promising a classic clash of styles and wills.
Wawrinka: A Potential Kryptonite?
While Nadal is the obvious favorite to challenge Djokovic, Stanislas Wawrinka has a history of being the Serbian’s nemesis on the big stage. Wawrinka has beaten Djokovic in two Grand Slam finals, including the 2015 French Open final, and seems to rise to the occasion against him.
The Swiss star is getting back to his best form after injury struggles, having reached his first ATP tour final in nearly two years back in February. There is something about Wawrinka’s powerful and aggressive style that puts Djokovic under immense pressure.
If the two were to meet at Roland Garros this summer, it would undoubtedly be an exciting and unpredictable match that fans would circle on their calendars.
Chasing History and Federer’s Record
While Djokovic isn’t always appreciated in the same way as Federer, he might end up being more successful. A victory in Paris would not only complete the “Nole Slam” but also take him one step closer to Federer’s record of 20 Grand Slam titles.
At just 31 years old, Djokovic has time on his side and he could be about to dominate the sport once again. Each major title he adds strengthens his case in the historical rankings. Is he the greatest ever? Only time will tell, but another title at Roland Garros would make his argument much stronger.
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