Djokovic says being No. 1 ‘best and worst’ after reaching French Open quarters

Serbia’s Novak Djokovic reacts immediately after successful towards Diego Schwartzman for the duration of their men’s singles match on day eight of the Roland-Garros Open up tennis event at the Courtroom Suzanne-Lenglen in Paris on May 29, 2022. (Photograph by JULIEN DE ROSA / AFP)

Novak Djokovic reported that currently being globe quantity just one can be the “best and worst” detail just after setting up a attainable French Open quarterfinal towards previous rival Rafael Nadal on Sunday.

The reigning winner, bidding to equal Nadal’s men’s document of 21 Grand Slam titles, eased to a 6-1, 6-3, 6-3 victory in his previous-16 tie towards 15th seed Diego Schwartzman.

He has used a history-breaking 371 months as the ATP amount one, but states that can make matches a lot more hard.

“Being variety a person is the greatest and worst issue about remaining range a single,” Djokovic explained. “I have been blessed to be number 1 that quite a few weeks all over my career.

“That was often the maximum objective beginning of just about every season, notably currently being in the period with (Roger) Federer, Nadal, the guys that are greats of the video game. So of class that will make the good results even greater.

“On the other hand, the downside of getting amount one particular is that you are normally getting chased by everyone else that would like to dethrone you and needs to acquire towards you in each solitary match, regardless of the size or classification of the tournament.”

Djokovic is playing in a important event for the initially time this year soon after staying deported from the Australian Open, the place Nadal gained his 21st Slam, over his Covid vaccination position.

The globe variety 1 is nonetheless to drop a established at Roland Garros just after cruising by means of the to start with week.

The 35-yr-aged is looking for a 3rd French Open title immediately after securing a second crown previous yr by defeating Nadal in the semi-finals and coming again from two sets guiding to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the ultimate.

“Somehow successful a title listed here is constantly likely the most difficult of any Slam for me,” extra Djokovic who will encounter Nadal for the 10th time at Roland Garros if the 13-time winner defeats Felix Auger-Aliassime later on Sunday.

“Last yr the next week that I experienced listed here was just probably the hardest 4 matches, hardest seven times I had to get any Slam in my profession.”

16th quarterfinal in Paris

Djokovic took his head-to-head record towards Argentinian Schwartzman to 7- with a medical display, in which he saved 7 of the eight crack details he confronted.

He is into a 16th French Open up quarter-final and has not failed to access that stage considering the fact that 2009.

The Serbian star saved two split factors in the third match of the match ahead of racing by means of the opening established.

The next proved to be significantly far more aggressive, nevertheless, as Schwartzman took a 3- direct right before currently being broken back again as the top seed reeled off 3 rapid details.

Djokovic experienced to stave off three break details to degree the established at 3-3 and produced it 5 straight online games with a gutsy maintain right after Schwartzman dropped provide once more.

A collection of blistering baseline shots wrapped up the set, leaving Schwartzman needing to turn into only the 2nd male to appear again from two sets down to earn from Djokovic at a Grand Slam.

Schwartzman ongoing to regularly set Djokovic’s provide under stress without getting capable to use the killer contact, viewing an additional break position occur and go in the fifth activity of the third set.

The sample of the match ongoing, as Djokovic broke in the extremely next game to all but conclude the tie as a contest.

Schwartzman saved a match point in sport eight to power Djokovic to provide it out, which he did, to adore.

Linked Stories

Study Up coming

Don’t skip out on the most up-to-date information and information and facts.

For responses, issues, or inquiries, call us.