Novak Djokovic will hit top gear at French Open 2023, believes Mark Petchey

Tennis analyst Mark Petchey recently pointed out that Novak Djokovic always takes a while to get used to clay. He believes that those who are doubting the Serb's chances at the 2023 French Open are failing to see the pattern.

Djokovic began the 2023 season by winning the Adelaide International 1 and a record-extending 10th Australian Open title. But the World No. 1 missed the Sunshine Double due to his stance on COVID-19 vaccination, and at the Monte-Carlo Masters earlier this month he was stunned by Lorenzo Musetti in the third round.

Djokovic was experiencing pain in his right elbow but still played the ATP 250 Srpska Open in Banja Luka, where he lost to compatriot Dusan Lajovic in the quarterfinals. Last week, the 35-year-old joined Rafael Nadal (recovering from a hip injury) in withdrawing from the Madrid Open.

Despite all this, former British player Petchy is still backing Djokovic to peak at the second Grand Slam tournament of the year in Paris.

"Anyone thinking that @DjokerNole won’t be in top gear by @rolandgarros simply hasn’t been paying attention for the last 18 years," Petchy tweeted.

Petchey also highlighted what champions like Djokovic can "overcome and achieve in moments of real peril," something he learned while coaching Andy Murray for a short period between 2005-06.

"Circling around the periphery of @andy_murray career has given me a insight into the mindset of a Champion to a small degree. It’s pretty awe inspiring and astonishing what they can overcome and achieve in moments of real peril. His runway maybe shorter this time but he land it," Petchey wrote.

Djokovic has a winning percentage of 84% at Roland Garros and has won the championship twice — in 2016 and 2021. He remains the only player to defeat Nadal twice on Court Philippe-Chatrier.

Apart from that, the Serb has won two, three, and six titles in Monte-Carlo, Madrid, and Rome respectively.

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Novak Djokovic recalls slow start on clay last year

Lorenzo Musetti (L) and Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic appeared calm after his loss in Banja Luka and reflected on a similar start to the clay season in 2022. The Serb's results gradually improved over the clay swing last year; he won the Italian Open and reached the quarterfinals of the French Open, where he was beaten by Rafael Nadal.

"It's no secret that you prepare and train for Roland Garros. The same thing happened last year, I had a very slow start to the tour and I started to play better towards the end of the tour," he said.

Ahead of the Srpska Open, Djokovic had revealed that his elbow was "not in an ideal condition" but good enough to compete on the tour. He is expected to return at the Italian Open, which begins on May 10.

The 35-year-old won the Masters event last year, beating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0, 7-6(5) in the final.