Novak Djokovic 'can play until he's 40' and is French Open favourite over Carlos Alcaraz – Mats Wilander

ByRob Hemingway

Updated 29/05/2023 at 08:25 GMT

Many people see Carlos Alcaraz as the favourite to win the men's French Open at Roland-Garros, but Mats Wilander isn't so sure, reckoning Novak Djokovic has the capability to make the young Spaniard "doubt himself". Tim Henman, joining Wilander on Eurosport's 'The Cube', added that he felt Djokovic's clay-court form - which is patchy this season - is "irrelevant".

Novak Djokovic is the French Open favourite "in my eyes", reckons Mats Wilander, who also think the Serbian "can play until he's 40".

That was the three-time French Open champion's view as he assessed Djokovic's prospects at the 2023 French Open in conversation with Tim Henman and Barbara Schett on Eurosport's 'The Cube'.

Djokovic kicks off his campaign against 24-year-old American Aleksandar Kovacevic on Monday at Roland-Garros, in a bumper Day 2 of action that also sees Carlos Alcaraz play his first-round match.

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The pair are forecast to face off in the semi-finals, and Wilander thinks the Serbian can make life difficult for the much-fancied Alcaraz.

"I think if Alcaraz plays his best tennis, I think that it would be very difficult for anyone to beat him," Wilander said.

"But you have to make him play worse, and I think Novak Djokovic is one of the few guys that can actually, somehow, make Alcaraz doubt himself, make Alcaraz come up with unforced errors which he doesn't do against other players.

"He [Djokovic] is going to get five matches before he runs into Alcaraz - that's enough practice for Djokovic.

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"Yes, it's uncomfortable because you can be blown off the court by Alcaraz - that's just the name of the game, that's being 36 years old against a 20-year-old.

"That's always been the case but Novak - I think he is the favourite in my eyes."

Wilander, on site for the tournament, added: "When you talk to Novak, he's so humble these days.

"I actually think that is the main reason why he is able to keep going, because he does take it day by day.

Novak Djokovic & Carlos Alcaraz

Image credit: Getty Images

"I think he can play until he's 40 years old, he looks so young and is so fresh.

"He's keen, he's motivated - even in interviews with me!"

Tim Henman, alongside Wilander, discussed Djokovic's chances in the context of the injury absence of 14-time French Open winner Rafael Nadal.

He said: "He doesn't have to beat him [Nadal] now. It's a great opportunity.

"Djokovic's clay-court form is completely irrelevant coming into this event.

"Best-of-five set matches over two weeks here at Roland-Garros, he's won before, I certainly have him down as one of the favourites."

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