Novak Djokovic continues to advance steadily at Roland Garros, as he demonstrated with a resounding victory against Diego Schwartzman in the round of 16. In this way, the Serbian continues his streak over a tournament that until recently was somewhat hostile to him but that little by little he is dominating better.
In the press conference after the game ‘Nole’ recognized that his victory in 2016 was the turning point to face Roland Garros. “It has taken me years to win the title here. Of course I have had big disappointments here in Paris, with many lost finals and semi-finals, incredible marathon matches and most of them against Rafa Nadal. before 2016. It was very special to win that title in 2016. It was such a relief.”
Djokovic also pointed out that Roland Garros is always the toughest Grand Slam for him and that last year he had to make a titanic effort to win the title, in the toughest week of his Grand Slam career. “In the following years I continued to play consistently here and fortunately I won another title last year. I won the title here, which is always the hardest Grand Slam for me. Last year, the second week I had to play, it was possibly the toughest four matches and toughest seven days I’ve ever had to win a Grand Slam in my career.”
The Serbian had no qualms about admitting that his goal every year is to finish as number one in the world and that the fact that he coincides with Nadal and Federer gives his feat more credit. “I have been lucky enough to be number one for many weeks throughout my career. That has always been my main goal at the beginning of each season, particularly being in the era of Federer and Nadal, guys who are the greatest of this sport. Of course that makes that success even greater. On the other hand, the disadvantage of being number one is that you are always being chased by all the others, who want to dethrone you and win every match, regardless of the size or category of the tournament.”
Djokovic also spoke about his possible rival in the quarterfinals. “I am ready to face Nadal or Auger-Aliassime. I like the way I’m finding myself, the way I’m hitting the ball. I will focus on what I have to do. I like the chances I have against both.” Finally, the faces with Nadal will be seen again after last year’s semifinals and the 2020 final in a new edition of the great tennis ‘Clásico’.
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