Novak Djokovic, after missing the Masters 1000 in Madrid, is ready for his debut at the Internazionali BNL d’Italia. The Serbian champion will find on the other side of the net Tomas Martin Etcheverry, an opponent that the Belgradean admitted he doesn’t know very well.
Nole explained in the press conference: “It’s great to be in Rome. Everything is fine. I think there are always things that can annoy you at these levels. This is normal, especially when you are no longer 25 and need more time to recover.
I feel good, I miss the competition. I love playing here. Rome has always been a positive tournament for me, I’ve had a lot of success here. It is the event on clay that I have won the most times. I hope it can once again serve as a springboard for Roland Garros, where I want to play at my best.”
From Alcaraz to Nadal: the words of Novak Djokovic
The Serbian will probably lose the top of the ranking this week: Carlos Alcaraz will need to play only one match at the Foro Italico to regain the first position.
He said: “It is strange that we have never been in the same draw this year. He will deservedly be number one after this tournament. He is playing impressively, very high level. He is the player to beat on this surface. Of course it also depends on whether or not Rafael Nadal will participate at the Roland Garros, but Alcaraz is certainly one of the favorites without any doubt.
We met only once last year in Madrid, and in Rome we could only meet in the final. We both would like to play a final like this. Let’s see, the tournament is long. There are many great players.” On the possibility of not seeing Nadal on the pitch in Paris, Djokovic finally explained: “Nothing would change in terms of personal preparation.
I always try to give the best of myself. Naturally the tournament and the entire tennis world would be affected by his absence due to his history in Paris and the overall impact Rafa has had on the sport. His absence in any tournament, especially the big ones, always has an impact on the tennis world.
I’m sure everyone wants to see him on the field in Paris. I would like it too, because I think it’s the best for the competition to have all the best players in the world. I’ve seen some videos of him training, he’s trying to prepare for the Roland Garros.
Obviously I don’t know what he’s feeling, but I’m sure he’s doing his best to be present at Roland Garros. We’ll see what happens.”
