Absent from the Masters 1000 in Madrid, Novak Djokovic will make his debut in Rome this Friday evening, challenging Frenchman Corentin Moutet (ATP 83). With the absences of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner, the Serbian, who has not yet won a single tournament this year, will be the favorite for the last big event before Roland-Garros. On the eve of his first match in a tournament he has won six times, the current world number one answered questions from the media…
Why didn’t you play in Madrid?
“This was not part of the program. The plan was to come here. So…”
Physically, how do you feel?
“I’ve been working well lately. I had plenty of time to rest and train. I had a good block. I arrived to train for four or five days before my first match against top players. It’s obviously different training with them than playing practice sets with sparring partners. I was able to play with Dimitrov and Rune for example. I think I’m on track to reach my peak form at Roland Garros. I hope that here, in Rome, I will play better than in Monte Carlo. We’ll see what happens. This is the first time that Rome and Madrid take place over two weeks, like Indian Wells or Miami. It gives you more time to recover between matches if you win, which is helpful for me.”
Can you talk about the recent changes that have occurred within your staff?
“I am currently working with the physical trainer with whom I worked for many years (Editor’s note: Gebhard Gritsch). It didn’t take me long to adapt to his program and approach. We know each other very well. With Nenad Zimonjic, my coach, too, of course. I’m happy with how the last fortnight has gone in terms of training, preparation and anticipation for this tournament, ahead of the French Open, Wimbledon and the Olympics. This is the block we prepare the most for.”
Zizou Bergs’ regrets after his match against Rafael Nadal.
“Playing against Nadal at Roland Garros is like playing against a wall”
This should be Rafael Nadal’s last Roland-Garros. Can you explain to us what it was like to play against him in Paris? “It’s probably one of the biggest challenges you can have on the circuit. I’ve played him probably more often than any other player has on this court. The court is bigger. There is more space, which greatly affects the game visually and the player’s feeling on the court. He likes to stay quite far behind, in return. There are times when he’s really in the zone and in the rhythm, where he doesn’t make a lot of mistakes. It seems impenetrable. He’s like a wall. He’s an incredible athlete. The intensity that he brings to the court, especially there, is something that has been seen very rarely, I think, in the history of this sport. I’m sure this tournament will be very emotional for him, as it probably was in Madrid and will be here in Rome. But there especially, because of the records he holds.”
