PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 03: Novak Djokovic of Serbia slides at the net for a forehand against Francisco … More
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For the second straight Grand Slam tournament, Novak Djokovic’s seeding will put him in a tough spot.
After getting the No. 7 seed at the Australian Open, the 24-time major champion could again be seeded as low as No. 7 for Roland Garros, which begins May 25. The Serb is currently No. 6 in the Live Rankings.
Jannik Sinner will be the top seed at a fourth consecutive Grand Slam while defending champion Carlos Alcaraz has elevated to No. 2. Sinner and Alcaraz will meet Sunday in the Rome final in a tasty preview to Paris.
Djokovic beat Alcaraz in the Australian Open quarterfinals, but tore a hamstring muscle and then had to retire in the semifinals against Alexander Zverev, who lost to Sinner in the final.
Djokovic, 37, now faces a potential similar path in Paris where he could have to beat three of the world’s best to win his record 25th major.
“I would never underestimate him, but I would be surprised if he won another major, let’s put it that way,” 18-time major champ Chrissie Evert told Forbes.
“I mean, you’ve got to give the guy credit. This guy’s won everything, more than anybody. I would never say he’s not going to win, but I would be surprised. I would be pleasantly surprised, just with his results in the past and he’s human…I’m not feeling it.”
Djokovic is a three-time Roland Garros champion, most recently in 2023, but is just 12-7 this season with first-round losses in Monte Carlo and Madrid.
“I was very surprised watching Novak compete in Monte Carlo and Madrid,” said Mouratoglou , Naomi Osaka’s coach. “Not by the level, we all know what he’s capable of. But by the attitude. He just didn’t look like he wanted to win. He didn’t even look like he cared to win, Of course, he can play much better, he’s Novak Djokovic, but he didn’t look physically ready or mentally engaged. And for a player like him, if the motivation isn’t there, there’s really no point in being on the court. I’ve been saying this for a long time now: motivation is everything for Novak.
Djokovic, who recently parted ways with coach Andy Murray, took a wildcard into the Geneva Open next week.
“His decision to play Geneva now makes sense. He wants to feel that winning rhythm again, even just a little, before stepping into Paris. The big question is: will it be enough?” Mouratoglou added.
