Will Pressure Be a Big Problem for Novak Djokovic at the 2016 French Open?

By
at Internationaled.org

Published: May 6, 2016

commentComment        

Novak Djokovic’s dominance is unquestionable, but winning the 2016 French Open will be his greatest career challenge. On paper, this might be his clearest path through an ATP tour that does not currently feature a rising No. 2 rival or invincible clay king.

Except the French Open is anything but straightforward. Sure, if Djokovic does sweep through for the Musketeers Cup, it will seem like the obvious result. But guarantees are pie in the sky, and promises never take root in clay. While the Serb has conquered every other notable title, there will be uncertainty until someone is hoisting up the trophy for a photo shoot at the Eiffel Tower.

All of this weighs in with Djokovic’s quick start at Madrid. After playing only one match at Monte Carlo and resting from clay-court competition until this week, he has determined to tune up and peak with Spanish and Roman matches, trusting that the work will be ideal for seven matches in Paris.

There’s simply no alternative to the arduous task. Djokovic is the titan of tennis, holding the world on his durable shoulders, but like mighty Atlas he will feel the weight of public and personal expectations to complete his last great quest.

He can play the greatest tennis of his life, and he might have to in order to win the French Open, but pressure is inescapable. He must rise above the past and future with his spectacular play, one point at a time like removing bricks from a wall that has blocked him off for too many years.



 

Misfortune or Pressure?

OK, Nadal is the all-time king of clay, stamped forever with nine French Open titles from 2005-14. Yet there’s still the lingering sense that Djokovic has had five very strong spring opportunities evaporate like dew drops on hot, ground-up brick.

Was it merely French misfortune to run into a motivated Federer (2011) or rejuvenated Nadal (2012)? Did Fate ...
Article Source: Bleacher Report - Tennis

Latest News


Comments

Comments are closed.

Sponsors

Bruins Tickets The Boston Bruins are a professional ice hockey team based in Boston, Massachusetts. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Red Wings Tickets The Detroit Red Wings are a professional ice hockey team based in Detroit, Michigan. They are members of the Central Division of the Western Conference of the National Hockey League.

Penguins Tickets The Pittsburgh Penguins are a professional ice hockey team based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New York Rangers Tickets play their home games at Madison Square Garden, they are one of the oldest teams in the NHL, having joined in 1926 as an expansion franchise, and are part of the group of teams referred to as the Original Six.

San Jose Sharks Tickets The San Jose Sharks are a professional ice hockey team based in San Jose, California, United States.

Toronto Maple Leafs Tickets The Toronto Maple Leafs are a professional ice hockey team based in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

New Jersey Devils Tickets The New Jersey Devils are a professional ice hockey team based in Newark, New Jersey. They are members of the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League.

Washington Capitals Tickets The Washington Capitals are a professional ice hockey team based in Washington, D.C.

Buffalo Sabres Tickets The Buffalo Sabres are a professional ice hockey team based in Buffalo, New York. They are members of the Northeast Division of the Eastern Conference of the National Hockey League. Get the Sabres and all of your NHL Tickets here.

NASCAR season is on of the most attended sports in the world. NASCAR Tickets to the best tracks is a must every year. Some of these tracks are: Talladega Tickets, Lowes Motor Speedway Tickets, Pocono Raceway Tickets, located in Ridgeway Virginia you have Martinsville Speedway Tickets and southern US you have two of the most popular Atlanta Motor Speedway Tickets and Texas Motor Speedway Tickets. Don't miss all the racing events this year!

Boston Red Sox Tickets The Boston Red Sox are a member of the Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Since 1912, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park. This is one of the hottest MLB Tickets sales of any team in the major league.

New York Yankees Tickets The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the borough of the Bronx, in New York City, New York and are a member of Major League Baseball's American League East Division. Get tickets to one of the hottest games of the season Yankees Red Sox Tickets.

Chicago Cubs Tickets The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League.

Phillies Tickets The Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883.

Orioles Tickets The Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland.

Do you love wrestling? Get your WWE Tickets and WWE Survivor Series Tickets today!