Former ATP player Kristof Vliegen weighs in on Novak Djokovic's chances at the French Open and Wimbledon.
Vliegen believes that Djokovic's physical prowess may not be enough to overcome the formidable challenges posed by Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner at the French Open. The 38-year-old Serb would need to beat both top-ranked players in a matter of 48 hours, which Vliegen considers a significant hurdle. However, he acknowledges that Djokovic's prospects could change dramatically on the faster grass courts of Wimbledon.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion's ability to beat at least one of the dominant forces in a Grand Slam match was partially demonstrated at the Australian Open, where he defeated Sinner in the semifinal and lost to Alcaraz in the final. This performance has slightly increased the likelihood of him achieving his 25th Major title.
Vliegen, a former Belgian tennis player, highlights the physical demands of the French Open, suggesting that Djokovic's chances are diminished due to the short timeframe between matches. He predicts that Djokovic might fare better at Wimbledon, where the grass surface could suit his playing style more.
Vliegen's analysis on TSH Tennis: 'Paris, I think he has less chance, because it’s so physical. He needs to beat them both, and he needs to beat them both in 48 hours. Imagine he beats Sinner in the semifinals; he won't beat them in two hours and five minutes. It's going to take a while to beat them. So, is he able to do that against them in Paris? I don’t think so. Do I think that he has something to do at Wimbledon? I would not be surprised if at Wimbledon he is going to be closer than the others.'
