By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, May 24, 2023
Problem-solving prowess gives Novak Djokovic the edge going the distance in Paris.
Pointing to Djokovic’s phenomenal five-set record, Hall of Famer and Tennis Channel analyst Jim Courier places Djokovic as Roland Garros co-favorite alongside world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
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“I thought Novak’s health, to get to him, looked pretty good in Rome,” Courier told Tennis Now today in a conference call to promote Tennis Channel’s Roland Garros coverage starting Sunday, May 28th at 5 a.m. Eastern time. “He didn’t seem to have the sleeve on as much. He seemed to be fine with his serve numbers, his forehand numbers, backhand numbers. All looked normal.
“Didn’t seem to be any increase in speed, which we saw in Australia this year when he was trying not to have to play defense to protect his leg issue. So I think overall his health and confidence are trending in the right direction and best of five just gives all these supreme players more time to problem-solve if they run into a hot player.”
Australian Open and Wimbledon winner Djokovic owns an outstanding 37-10 career record in five setters.
In recent years, Djokovic has shown strength and stamina going the distance in Paris.
A defiant Djokovic roared back from a two-set deficit tearing through 16 of the final 17 games to subdue a pained Lorenzo Musetti, who retired due to cramping and a back issue with the world No. 1 leading 6-7(7), 6-7(2), 6-1, 6-0, 4-0, in the 2021 fourth round.
Fighting back from two sets down for the first time in a Slam final, a determined Djokovic defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 capturing his 19th major championship at the 2021 Roland Garros.
Courier says the best-of-five-set format empowers Djokovic to go on the offensive or provides time to play the waiting game until an opponent’s level dips as he’s done in the past on dirt.
“It’s easier for them to wait them out, as Novak has done against great players in the past there, like Tsitsipas in the final and with Stef a couple of years back when he won the first couple against Novak,” Courier told Tennis Now. “Novak was never in danger of losing that match.
“He just lost the first couple of sets. That has to give him great comfort, I would think, looking ahead.”
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