Serbian Novak Djokovic estimated that Spanish Rafael Nadal is a favorite in the Roland Garros final that they will play next Sunday, but indicated that the meteorological conditions of this autumn edition, different from the usual ones, may give him an option.
“He has won so many times here that I don't think there is any champion who can repeat it. But this year the conditions are different than those of May-June, that may give me an option to win, “said the Serbian after defeating Greek Stefanos Tstitsipas in the semifinals 6-3, 6-2, 5-7, 4-6 and 6-1. “The conditions are different from the usual ones, we will see how his game and my game will compete on Sunday, depending on the temperature, which greatly affects the game, the bounce of the ball. Also if it is windy, humidity, … “, he added.
As Nadal has been repeating, the cold and humidity limit the bounce of the ball, which makes the Spanish game less dangerous. “He boat won't go over the shoulder as usual “said Djokovic, who noted that, despite everything, “Rafa, best of five set on clay” is a favorite.
The Serbian said that he will also take as a reference his only victory at Roland Garros against Nadal, in the quarterfinals of 2015. “It is the game that serves as a reference for me, I will try to draw the conclusions to elaborate the tactic“, he assured.
Djokovic considered Nadal to be “his greatest rival”, the one he has faced the most times and against whom they have played “many vibrant games.” “We respect each other a lot and when we face each other there is a motivation to do our best tennis. We know that we have to be at the highest level to measure ourselves. We have enough experience to approach this type of game with a cool head “, said the Serbian on the eve of the 55 duel between the two.
Despite everything, Djokovic, who can win his 18th Grand Slam and catch one of Nadal, does not believe that Sunday is the most important match of his career.
“There are other more important ones, maybe the first Wimbledon final, which was my dream as a child. In 2016 also against Murray at Wimbledon. Or the finals that I lost before winning Roland Garros for the first time. But it is true that Roland Garros has a special interest for me because it is the one that I have won the fewest times, “he said.
“I hope I can do my best tennis, it's what I'm going to need to win. I'm in a position to do it, I'm in the last game of this tournament against my biggest rival. I have already lived it and I know what I have to do “he commented.
Despite the five sets he played against Tsitsipas, the Serbian assured that you don't feel “physically exhausted” And although he regretted not having closed the duel in the third set, when he had a ball to do it, he was satisfied with the way he dominated his nerves in the next three.