Novak Djokovic is intensifying his preparations for Roland Garros, aiming to secure a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title amidst growing concerns about his form and match sharpness on clay, according to Sportbible. The Serbian star, who enters the French Open as the third seed, has been seen training with former US Open champion Marin Cilic and fellow top contender Alexander Zverev in Paris.

Djokovic’s build-up to the clay-court major has been far from ideal. He has played only one competitive match on clay this season, suffering a surprising defeat to Dino Prizmic in the round of 64 at the Italian Open. This limited match play has fueled speculation about his readiness, especially with Jannik Sinner emerging as a strong favorite for the title after collecting the Italian Open last weekend. Sinner has been in formidable form, winning the last six ATP Masters 1000 events, with five of those coming in 2026.

Seeking sharpness on clay

To compensate for his lack of recent competitive action, Djokovic has sought out high-quality practice partners. He engaged in warm-up games, including a session with Germany’s Alexander Zverev, the second seed for the French Open. Most notably, Djokovic spent an hour on Court Simone Mathieu training with Marin Cilic.

Cilic, the 2014 US Open winner, currently ranked World No. 46 on the ATP Tour, was considered a suitable opponent for Djokovic to regain sharpness and confidence. Their long-standing rivalry dates back to their first clash in 2008 at the Dubai Tennis Championships. Historically, Djokovic has dominated their encounters, holding a commanding 20-2 record in competitive matches and having knocked Cilic out of five Grand Slams. Their last meeting was in 2015 when Djokovic defeated Cilic at the Shanghai Masters.

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The road ahead at Roland Garros

The field at Roland Garros presents a significant challenge for Djokovic. While Carlos Alcaraz has withdrawn due to a wrist injury, the likes of Sinner and Zverev are expected to push hard for the title. Sinner’s recent dominance, particularly on clay, positions him as the player to beat. Djokovic, despite his unparalleled Grand Slam pedigree, is not widely considered the favorite this time around.

However, the 37-year-old has often thrived when defying expectations. His determination to secure a 25th major title remains undimmed, and these rigorous training sessions with formidable opponents like Cilic and Zverev underscore his commitment to arrive in peak condition for the tournament.

Sources: www.sportbible.com

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