French Open 2023: Novak Djokovic exclusive - 'the best I’ve felt since the Australian Open'
/dnl.eurosport.com/sd/img/placeholder/eurosport_logo_1x1.png){kind=logo}
Updated 04/06/2023 at 16:02 GMT
Novak Djokovic sent a warning to his French Open rivals after beating Juan Pablo Varillas in straight sets on Sunday. The 36-year-old had to pull out of the Madrid Open in April with injury and missed the tournaments in the US due to his Covid-19 vaccination status. But Djokovic is feeling the best he has done since winning the Australian Open. Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+
'Best I've felt since Australian Open' – Djokovic delighted with his play
Novak Djokovic sent a warning to his French Open rivals, insisting that he is feeling “the best I’ve felt since the Australian Open” as he chases a historic 23rd Grand Slam title.
Djokovic brushed aside Juan Pablo Varillas in straight sets to reach the quarter-finals at Roland-Garros and is now just three wins away from the title in Paris.
He appears to be getting better as the tournament progresses, and if there were any concerns about his fitness following his withdrawal from the Madrid Open with injury in April, he dismissed them with a comfortable win over Varillas.
“Great energy on the court from the crowd and myself. I really enjoyed it,” Djokovic exclusively told Eurosport.
“The best performance so far at the tournament, coming exactly at the right time, coming into the second week, playing another quarter-final where it’s going to get tougher.
“I like the way I’m playing and feeling, and looking forward to a new challenge.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/06/04/3719930-75688533-2560-1440.jpg)
'That's a real statement' - Djokovic is 'on a mission' says Henman
Djokovic began the 2023 season in spectacular fashion by winning his 22nd major at the Australian Open, despite playing with a hamstring problem.
But after losing in the semi-finals to Daniil Medvedev at the Dubai Tennis Championships, Djokovic was prevented from participating in the 'Sunshine Swing' Masters 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami due to not being allowed into the US as a result of his Covid-19 vaccination status.
After a break of six weeks, Djokovic returned to action in Monte Carlo, but lost in the second round to Lorenzo Musetti, talking afterwards about how he was feeling "terrible".
However, that all feels like a distant memory now.
Djokovic continued: “I feel better than I did in the last couple of months. In the last seven-10 days, I’ve felt the best I’ve felt since the Australian Open.
“That’s good, I just have to keep going and not allow myself to think too far ahead, but I’m on a good path.”
/origin-imgresizer.eurosport.com/2023/06/04/3719905-75688033-2560-1440.jpg)
Djokovic 'felt all the love' making his 17th quarter-final at Roland-Garros
As Eurosport's match reported noted: "Djokovic cruised to the first set 6-3, breaking the Peruvian No. 1 twice on his way.
"He was largely untroubled in the second set, too, as he used his dominant serve to earn two set points to close out at 6-2, giving away just four unforced errors.
"As he tried to race to an even larger margin of victory in the third set, Djokovic executed a drop-shot from deep that demonstrated the yawning gulf in quality between the pair, leaving Varillas to serve just to stay in the match. While he obliged, he could not resist Djokovic any more than that.
"Victory saw Djokovic through to a record 17th Roland-Garros quarter-final, one more than Rafael Nadal.
"The 36-year-old will take on Karen Khachanov following his four-set win over Lorenzo Sonego."
- - -
Stream the 2023 French Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.com
Scan me
Related Topics
Share this article
Advertisement
Advertisement