Djokovic needs final dance with Nadal at French Open tennis | Tennis Information

World primary Novak Djokovic is hoping for one final matchup with the 14-time French Open champion at Roland Garros.

Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Monte Carlo Masters has forged doubt over the 22-times Grand Slam champion’s participation on the French Open, however Novak Djokovic stated he was nonetheless hoping for a remaining chapter of their storied rivalry.

The 37-year-old Spaniard, who has stated he anticipated to retire after the 2024 season, returned to competitors in Brisbane in January, after virtually a yr sidelined with a hip flexor harm, however has not performed an ATP occasion since.

“As a tennis fan I need him to play no less than yet another match earlier than he retires,” world primary Djokovic instructed Eurosport in an interview revealed on Saturday.

“Everyone knows what he’s carried out on clay in his profession, significantly Roland Garros.

“That’s his objective, everyone knows that, he’s been saying it. For the sake of all tennis and Roland Garros specifically, we hope that he can play there. It will be nice to have one other nice encounter.”

Djokovic will start his quest for a 3rd title in Monte Carlo on Tuesday with out coach Goran Ivanisevic in his field, after ending his extremely profitable partnership with the Croatian final month.

The Serbian has been working with former doubles world primary Nenad Zimonjic in latest weeks.

“We have now recognized one another very well for greater than 20 years. He’s been at all times like an older brother to me. A mentor, a pal, who at all times tried to assist me as an individual and as a participant,” Djokovic stated.

“After I stopped with Goran, I used to be beginning my clay-court preparation in Belgrade and he was there. He got here to the court docket, and we actually loved our collaboration, and I requested him to return right here for a couple of weeks.

“We are attempting to profit from it. He’s been giving me actually helpful recommendation to search out the right place once I’m approaching the web, and it’s one thing I’m not greatest at as a result of I don’t play as many doubles matches.”