Wawrinka, who lifted three Grand Slam titles, thinks Djokovic would be pushing himself to rewrite history.
“I still put him as the favorite,” Stan Wawrinka believes Novak Djokovic will lift his historic 25th Grand Slam trophy at Roland Garros despite his slump in form

Novak Djokovic, Stan Wawrinka, Rafael Nadal (Images via Imago)

Novak Djokovic is experiencing a slump in form this year but is still the favorite to win the upcoming Roland Garros, as per Stan Wawrinka. The former World No.3 pointed out how the Serb is often the man to beat in spite of his lackluster performances in tournaments preceding the Grand Slam events.

Djokovic has not performed to his full potential in the four tournaments (Australian Open, Indian Wells Masters, Monte-Carlo Masters, and the Italian Open) he has played so far this year. In his last match against Alejandro Tabilo in Rome, he produced a below-par performance, losing with a scoreline of 6-2, 6-3. Wawrinka, who lifted three Grand Slam titles, thinks Djokovic would be pushing himself to rewrite history.

I think it’s still like, of course, he didn’t have the results he wanted the last few weeks, but we know how he can push his level and the way he always finds a way to play the best tennis in Grand Slams, especially in five sets also. Of course, I still put him as the favorite at the French Open.

Stan Wawrinka told Express Sport 

Djokovic will arrive in Paris as the defending champion. In last year’s event, he clinched his 23rd Grand Slam title by beating Norway’s Casper Ruud in straight sets. If the 36-year-old fails to reach the final, Italy’s Jannik Sinner will be crowned as the No.1 player for the first time.

Stan Wawrinka is confident that Rafael Nadal will play in Paris

Stan Wawrinka, who last played in BNP Paribas Primrose Bordeaux in France, talked about Rafael Nadal‘s chances of playing at the Roland Garros. The former World No.3 is confident that if the King of Clay doesn’t deal with a major physical problem, he won’t miss playing in Paris.

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Stan wawrinkaRafael Nadal (Image via Imago)

I think he will play for sure unless he gets injured. I think he will play, I’m sure that’s the reason why also he played the last few weeks, he wants to play, and he wants to play the biggest tournaments. 

Stan Wawrinka said 

Nadal’s hip injury he suffered during last year’s Australian Open made him miss the rest of the year. He arrived at this year’s Brisbane International only to stay out of the courts for more months due to an abdominal muscle tear.

Then he started his campaigns on clay in the Barcelona Open, and played the Madrid and Italian Open, losing in all without advancing to a quarterfinal.