Novak Djokovic poses with his trophy after winning the Madrid Open final (AFP)
Madrid - Djokovic and Nadal will now attempt to claim a 34th Masters title in Rome this week
Published: Mon 13 May 2019, 10:47 PM
Updated: Tue 14 May 2019, 12:54 AM
Novak Djokovic said his impressive burst of form which won him a third Madrid Open title and 33rd Masters could prove decisive in his assault on the French Open.
The world number one joined Rafael Nadal on top of the all-time Masters list when he swept to a 6-3, 6-4 win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in Sunday's final in the Spanish capital.
"At this very important time for me in the season, the win gives me a lot of confidence prior to Rome and, of course, Roland Garros where I definitely want to play my best," said the 15-time major winner.
Djokovic dominated a clearly exhausted Tsitsipas less than 24 hours after the 20-year-old Greek had stunned five-time champion Nadal in a semifinal which ended around midnight on Saturday.
Djokovic and Nadal will now attempt to claim a 34th Masters title in Rome this week in a key indicator ahead of Roland Garros which gets under way on May 26.
Djokovic credits a keys wins in Madrid with helping him to his first final since winning the Australian Open three months ago.
He will be bidding to collect his fourth consecutive title at a Grand Slam when he plays in Paris where he was also champion in 2016.
"This win was very important for my level of confidence because after the Australian Open I wasn't playing my best," he said.
"I wasn't finding the right game and the consistency on the court in Indian Wells, Miami and Monte-Carlo.
"I felt like I was close and needed a little bit of a push, which came yesterday against Dominic Thiem in the semifinal in a very close match."
E-Paper
Sign In
0°C 
