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Novak Djokovic Monte Carlo Masters 2021
Dominic Thiem, Novak Djokovic, Roland Garros, Tennis News

Novak Djokovic ‘not in best shape to win Roland Garros’, says Grand Slam legend


Boris Becker has cast doubt over the French Open chances of Novak Djokovic and Dominic Thiem, saying neither are in their “best shape”.

This week’s Italian Open is the third clay court event of 2021 for Djokovic, and just the second for Thiem.

World No. 1 Djokovic is in quarter-final action against Stefanos Tsitsipas in Rome today, while the Austrian fell yesterday to Lorenzo Sonego.

Six-time Grand Slam winner Becker was speaking on the Das Yellow vom Ball Eurosport podcast.

“I think (Stefanos) Tsitsipas is very strong, I think (Andrey) Rublev is very strong. Thiem is not in good shape for me yet. Something is not quite right,” Becker said.

“Djokovic also lost early in Monte Carlo and in Belgrade. He’s not on his (best shape) either. The tournament in Rome is extremely important for him.”

The Serbian fell in the semi-finals of Belgrade to Aslan Karatsev last month, while Thiem was beaten by Alexander Zverev in the Madrid semi-finals last week.

(Photo credit Ray Giubilo)


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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.