Emma Raducanu’s old coach rates Novak Djokovic’s current level after watching him in Rome

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Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in the second round of the Italian Open, 6-2, 2-6, 4-6.

Playing his first clay-court match of the year, Djokovic started strongly, easing into a one-set lead.

But he began to struggle physically in the second and third sets, allowing Prizmic to secure the comeback win.

Will Novak Djokovic ever return to the Italian Open?

Novak Djokovic lost to Dino Prizmic in his opening match…

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Emma Raducanu’s former coach, Mark Petchey, has now delivered his verdict on Djokovic’s level after watching him in Rome.

Mark Petchey says Novak Djokovic was playing ‘great’ before he fell ill in Rome

During the latest episode of ‘The Big T Podcast‘, Petchey shared his thoughts on Djokovic’s second-round defeat to Prizmic.

“I actually thought he was playing great until he got ill,” he said.

“I thought he was playing great, I thought he was moving well.

Novak Djokovic vs Dino Prizmic – Match stats

“I’m always just super in awe of how well he can play tennis with no matches under his belt coming back.

“It goes to show how hard he works in the lab when we’re not watching and there are no cameras on him, that he can come out and play that clean.

“Listen, if he falls in the half opposite to [Jannik] Sinner at Roland Garros, and he can get two, three rounds under his belt, and find his form, he’s going to be a threat.”

Petchey continued, suggesting how Djokovic’s mindset may have shifted when Carlos Alcaraz withdrew from the French Open.

“I think it has to shift your perspective if you’re Novak,” said Petchey.

“You don’t think like a regular tour player.

“You think I’ve won this tournament, I know how to do it, you give me a decent run at it…

Novak Djokovic’s French Open wins (3)

• 2016
• 2021
• 2023

“The fact that he’s not playing, we have to remember, is because he is trying to protect himself to be fresh for these events.

“He is starting to write the code on how to have longevity and how to have success deep into these tournaments at this age.

“It’s not just about being part of the atmosphere, it’s about achievement, and he wants 25.”

Djokovic won his 24th Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, equalling Margaret Court’s major record.

Looking to stand alone on 25, Djokovic has played a reduced schedule in a bid to arrive at the Grand Slams in perfect shape.

Non-Grand Slam matches played by top-10 players (2026)

Former Grand Slam semi-finalist Andrea Petkovic was also keen to weigh in.

“I think that his thought process really shifted after he found out that Carlos Alcaraz was out,” she said.

“I think he aimed more for Wimbledon, and sort of was about to take Roland Garros as it came.

“But then with Alcaraz out, I do think that he can tap into that champion’s mind of a G.O.A.T. and just find something a little bit extra.”

Djokovic will enter Roland Garros as one of the favourites, despite failing to win a match on clay so far this year.

How many matches did Novak Djokovic win on clay before his three French Open wins?

If Djokovic lifts the French Open title next month, he will do something he’s never done before.

In 2016, 2021, and 2023, the three years he won Roland Garros, he picked up five or more clay-court match wins before the tournament began.

Novak Djokovic’s clay wins before Roland Garros titles

• 2016 – 10
• 2021 – 11
• 2023 – 5

Entering the event without a single win on clay to his name, it’s hard to judge where Djokovic’s game is at.

But this is Djokovic we’re talking about, so does form even matter?

When the lights shine brightest, providing he is fit to do so, Djokovic usually rises to the occasion.

Only time will tell if he can upset the odds and lift his fourth French Open title in 2026.

This year’s French Open begins on Sunday, May 24.