Djokovic is already Djokovic

Novak Djokovic is already Novak Djokovicthe cannibal tennis player who devoured rivals is back an exact week from the start of Roland Garros, where he will defend the crown. The Serbian found in the final of the Masters 1,000 in Rome the final antidote to his ills and his drought. He defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-0 and 7-6 (7/5) in 1h: 36 and returned to raise a title. The last one had fallen November 7 last year in Paris-Bercy. Then came the tsunami of his expulsion from Australia for his refusal to be vaccinated and the veto in many places for not being immunized against COVID. He has needed five tournaments to return to the path of success. But he has done it just in time. In Madrid, where only a Carlos Alcaraz touched by the magic wand could surpass him, he already showed signs of reaching his best level. In Rome he endorsed it.

In the caldera of the Foro Italico, filled to overflowing, Djokovic won his sixth title in Rome and the 38th Masters 1,000, distancing Rafa Nadal by two (36), who in principle this Monday intends to return to training after the ordeal he suffered due to pain in his left foot against Denis Shapovalov due to his chronic injury.

“I surprised myself in the first set,” admitted the Serb. And it is that in 30 minutes he already wore a donut, a 6-0, in the light. In part, due to the lack of energy shown by the 23-year-old Greek (the tennis player with the most victories of the course, with 31) and already fourth in the ranking (he passes Nadal). On the other, for the good performance of the champion of 20 large. The numbers say it. In that set, he only lost one point on his first serve (12/13). He didn’t make a single unforced error and won 68% return points…

Thirty-six minutes it took Tsitsipas to score a game, an eternity. Such a difference was not normal. The public began to chant his name, blowing air into him. Djokovic did not bite and, suddenly, the Greek was in the game. But Nole equalized with a counterbreak and a shout that he defiantly addressed to the stands. Again he felt the fire inside. Thus, he paddled to a tie-break in which he did not fail. Djokovic is released. He is dangerous again with the Grand Slam on clay just around the corner. With the question of whether Alcaraz will continue to be so sharp in the five-set marathon and whether Nadal will be able to neutralize the pain that crushes him. The solution, in a few days.