Djokovic Not Letting Career Grand Slam Get To His Head

All eyes are on No. 1 seed Novak Djokovic as he attempts to win Roland Garros for the first time and complete the career Grand Slam, but he’s not intending on doing anything differently. The Serbian opens this year’s campaign against Yen-Hsun Lu and said his preparation going into the match will remain the same as any other.

“Of course the expectations are big not just from my side, but from people around knowing this is the only Grand Slam I’ve never won. People are very eager to find out whether I can make it this year,” said Djokovic. “I’m not going to change anything in particular. I’m going to keep the same kind of routine and program that I have been respecting for many years.”

The World No. 1 in the Emirates ATP Rankings opened his clay court season with a surprise opening round loss to Jiri Vesely at the ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event in Monte-Carlo, but has rebounded strongly since then. Djokovic won the Masters 1000 event in Madrid and then finished as runner-up the following week at the Masters 1000 event in Rome, where he lost to Andy Murray.

“I got 10 matches out of two weeks, which is the maximum I could get out of Madrid and Rome. It was a perfect way of getting the match play that I needed before Roland Garros,” said Djokovic. “I can comfortably say that in terms of match play, I’m ready. Now is just the fine-tuning and getting that necessary supply of energy and freshness to play best of five on the most physically demanding surface.”

After their matches this month in Madrid and Rome, as well as the final of this year’s Australian Open, fans are viewing Djokovic and Murray as the rivalry of the year. But while both are certainly competitive whenever they face each other, they aren’t closed off. The pair even practised together earlier this month in Madrid.

“I’ve known Andy for a very long time…we still have a very respectful friendly relationship off the court,” said Djokovic. “That’s the best possible hit I can have for any match because our practice sessions are like official matches. It’s something you’re looking forward to and to see where you are and things that you need to work on.”

Although a Djokovic-Murray championship match would be what many fans want to see most, the Serbian is well aware that he needs to get to the final first. Even if he doesn’t make it this year, he’s confident that he will win Roland Garros before his career is over.

“I still feel like I have plenty of more years ahead of me, which gives me more comfort in terms of opportunities I’ll have for the title at Roland Garros and releases more pressure for this year,” said Djokovic. “Of course I anticipate myself, as everybody else, to try and get my hands on the title this year. But if it doesn’t happen, there is always another year. I don’t have any intention of slowing down yet.”