Tennis action resumes in Madrid this week but there’s one notable absentee and that is world No1 Novak Djokovic.
The Serb pulled out of the Masters 1000 event in the Spanish capital looking to get some rest and the world has suddenly split into two camps – one believing it is a risky move from Djokovic and could hurt his French Open chances and the other thinking it’s a decision that could land him the elusive Roland Garros crown.
Djokovic has a 30-2 win-loss record in 2015 and has lost just twice since mid-October last year. He’s won the Australian Open as well as the opening three Masters trophies of the season, most recently the clay crown in Monte Carlo and is enjoying the strongest starts to a year he’s ever had.
He still has Rome to play in preparation for the French and he already has a win over his clay nemesis Rafael Nadal on the red dirt.
So it’s beyond me why anyone would consider Djokovic skipping Madrid as a risky choice.
Some say if Nadal does well this week and wins, he’ll regain his confidence and he’ll once again stop Djokovic in Paris (the world No1 has lost to Nadal there six times, including the last three years). Others worry that after a three-week break, a tricky opener in Rome could end Djokovic’s campaign there early and he’d find himself heading to Roland Garros with no wins on the surface in five weeks.
Djokovic missed Madrid last year, then won Rome by beating Nadal in the final, then fell to the Mallorcan in the French Open title match.
I think there’s too much misplaced emphasis on Madrid as a French Open tune-up. It’s actually not that crucial of a stop with regards to Paris.
The conditions are quite different, the altitude makes the ball fly differently and that’s why it was moved up in the calendar, swapping places with Rome.
I believe it’s smart that Djokovic took some time off; winning all those matches has definitely helped bolster his confidence but it also must have taken its toll on him and it might prove to be an intelligent move that could pay off in Paris.
He’s only won Madrid once (in 2011) so it’s not like it’s a happy hunting ground for him.
Let’s face it, Djokovic isn’t losing early in Rome and barring injury, he should get to Paris feeling better than ever.
If he does end up losing at the French Open, it certainly won’t be because he skipped Madrid.
