'He is not the same Rafa that we are used to,' Novak Djokovic thinks Alexander Zverev can be a tough opponent for Rafael Nadal at Roland Garros

Yes, I've seen it. Total spectacle. I'm excited to see that match, it will be a very interesting match. Zverev is in great shape, having won in Rome. On the court at Roland Garros, he is not the same Rafa that we are used to. It's Roland Garros, so we'll see what happens. Novak Djokovic stated in Geneva, addressing the reporters

Nadal made a last-minute decision to play Roland Garros after his straight-set defeat to Hubert Hurkacz in Rome. The 22-time Grand Slam champion comes into the second Grand Slam of the year with a 5-3 record on his favorite surface for this year. His most memorable run was in Madrid, where he reached the quarter-finals before losing to Jiri Lehecka.

On the other hand, Zverev seems to be enjoying tennis again after his second Masters 1000 title in Rome. The two-time World Tour Finals champion won his fifth clay court Masters 1000 overall in the Italian capital after beating Nicolas Jarry in straight sets in the final.

Novak Djokovic’s Roland Garros draw examined

While the focus is on the first-round clashes between Alexander Zverev and Rafael Nadal, as well as Stanislas Wawrinka and Andy Murray, it’s time for Novak Djokovic to do what he needs to do. The Serbian opens his French Open title defense against wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Djokovic might play either 2008 semi-finalist Gael Monfils or the highly talented Lorenzo Musetti in the third round. The Italian memorably was up two sets to love against the Serbian in the 2021 French Open fourth round, before retiring 4-0 down in the final set.

Djokovic could face 14th seed Tommy Paul in the Round of 16, who made the semi-finals of the Italian Open just a week ago. The 24-time Grand Slam champion is expected to play two-time finalist Casper Ruud in the quarter-finals. The Norwegian memorably beat Djokovic for the first time in his career earlier this year in the Monte Carlo semi-finals.

The biggest positive Djokovic can take from the draw is that he has avoided Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz. Although the young duo are struggling with injuries, they are still more dangerous to him than any other players. The two Grand Slam champions remain the last two players to defeat Djokovic in Grand Slams, with Alcaraz beating the Serb in the 2023 Wimbledon final and Sinner taking out the three-time French Open champion in the Australian Open semi-final earlier this year.