Top
Novak Djokovic in the 2021 Australian Open final against Daniil Medvedev
Novak Djokovic, Rafa Nadal, Roland Garros, Tennis News

‘It will hardly go the same way’, says Novak Djokovic coach on potential Rafa Nadal rematch


Coach Goran Ivanisevic says a repeat of the 2020 French Open final result is unlikely, as Novak Djokovic was not physically at his best. 

Rafael Nadal beat Djokovic 6-0, 6-2, 7-5 in a one-sided Roland Garros title match in October. 

After winning the Australian Open and securing the record for most weeks on top of the ATP rankings, Djokovic revealed he would be focusing heavily on winning more majors. 

This – along with Djokovic’s abdominal tear – means the Serbian will be limiting his playing schedule before the French Open. Ivanisevic said it was ‘realistic’ that Djokovic may not feature again until the clay season. 

When asked about a potential rematch between Djokovic and Nadal in Paris, Ivanisevic told Tennis Majors: “It will hardly go down the same way.

“To be honest, I do not think Novak could repeat it even if he wanted to. Rafa is the favourite, no doubt about that, but favourites do not always win.

“First and foremost, Novak must be physically at his best, he needs to feel powerful enough to stay on the court as long as it takes.

“For example, in the Roland Garros final he did not seem ready to stay on the court for fifteen hours if that is what it would have taken to beat Nadal. He was shortening points with drop shots and some other bad choices.

“Against (Daniil) Medvedev (in the Australian Open final), you could tell that he was prepared to be on that court for thirty hours if needed.

“That is the state Novak has to be in before that potential encounter with Nadal. When he feels that he can keep up physically, his tennis will follow.”


By
1

Tim Farthing, Tennishead Editorial Director & Owner, has been a huge tennis fan his whole life. He's a tennis journalist and entrepreneur as well as playing tennis to a national standard. He also helps manage his local club and volunteers for his local tennis organisation. He's a specialist in content about the administration of professional tennis and tennis coaching for all levels.