Djokovic not obsessed with elusive French Open title
Novak Djokovic says he is not obsessed with winning the French Open to complete a career Grand Slam.
World number one Djokovic has won 11 grand slams throughout his career, with the Roland Garros title the only one still to elude him.
The Serbian has been a beaten finalist three times in Paris, most recently tasting defeat to Stan Wawrinka in 2015.
Djokovic could become the eighth men’s player in history to win all four grand slams if he triumphs at this year’s French Open, but it is not something he is preoccupied with.
“Of course the expectations are big, not just from my side, but from people around knowing that this is the only grand slam I have never won,” he said.
“I still feel like I have plenty more years ahead of me, which gives me more comfort in terms of opportunities I’m going to have at the title of Roland Garros, which releases more pressure for me this year.
“So of course I anticipate myself, as everybody else, to try to get my hands on this title this year. But if it doesn’t happen, there is always another year, because I don’t have any intention of slowing down yet.
“On the other hand, even if it never happens, I need to be very humble and realistic see my results and my career and need to be satisfied with what I have achieved so far.
“Even if my career was done tomorrow, I made some achievements that I must be proud of.
“So that’s how I approach things. I don’t try to approach them from a point of view of being obsessed with this tournament or with any other tournament, for that matter.”
After winning the Madrid Open this month, Djokovic was beaten by Andy Murray in the final of the Internazionali d’Italia.
Despite heading into the tournament on the back of defeat, the 28-year-old has been pleased with his preparation.
“I’m not going to change anything in particular. I’m going to keep the same kind of routine and programme that I have been respecting for many years,” he said.
“I got 10 matches out of two weeks, which is the maximum I could get out of Madrid and Rome, and it was a perfect way of getting the match play that I needed before the French Open.”
Roger Federer will miss his first grand slam since 1999 having pulled out of the French Open with a back injury and Djokovic admits it is a blow for the competition.
He added: “It’s definitely a loss for the tournament. We’re not used to seeing Roger skipping grand slams, seeing as he hasn’t missed one for 60-plus times.”