Andy Murray backs Rafael Nadal to win French Open, but admits Djokovic has a chance

Andy Murray believes Rafael Nadal is the favourite to win a record-extending 14th Roland Garros title, but refuses to rule Novak Djokovic out despite a severe lack of match action.

Tennis legends Nadal and Djokovic started off 2022 quite differently. Nadal has a 100 % winning record this year currently sitting at 17 consecutive matches. He was also able to become the first player to win 21 grand slam trophies thanks to his surprise triumph in Melbourne. All of that is even more impressive considering it comes after a six months long layoff due to an injury.

Meanwhile, 20-time Slam great Djokovic was deported from Australia just one day before the ‘Happy Slam’ got underway, before then suffering a shock defeat to Czechian qualifier Jiri Vesely at the Dubai Tennis Championships. losing him the number one spot. He was also unable to enter the United States unvaccinated which led to his withdrawal from Indian Wells and the Miami Open.

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Speaking after his loss to Bublik in Indian Wells, Murray said:

“Novak’s obviously had very little competitive tennis for a period, and Rafa’s obviously started the year extremely well, and he’s maybe in a position he even said he was not expecting himself to be in, even a few months ago. So he probably feels quite relaxed and maybe a little bit less pressure than [what] was on him [for] the last couple of French Opens, for example."

He did not want to count Novak out:

“I wouldn’t count Novak out, for sure, but it’s not going to be easy because he’s obviously missed quite a lot of tennis.”