"I would much rather have Novak’s preparation" - Wilander picks Djokovic over Alcaraz for French Open glory

Novak Djokovic’s triumph in Rome makes him the favourite, ahead of Carlos Alcaraz, to win the men's singles at the 2922 French Open, according to Eurosport tennis expert Mats Wilander.

Having beaten Djokovic and Rafael Nadal on his way to winning the Madrid Open final against Alexander Zverev in the Spanish capital, Alcaraz sat out in Italy because of an ankle injury. It has been a breakthrough year for the 19-year-old who also took the Miami Open title, beating Casper Ruud in straight sets in the final. Speaking to Casper Ruud for the Ruud talks, Wilander said:

“I think Novak’s preparation for the French Open is perfect. I would much rather have Novak’s preparation than Carlos Alcaraz’s preparation going into the French Open. Winning Rome, take a week off and then come into Paris. I always feel that it’s really important to have good periods on tour. Especially when you do what Alcaraz has done, which is to win on hard courts, and then you go and win on clay. That’s a confidence boost for the player and it gives respect to the locker room."

He continued:

“For me, Alcaraz, what he has done, that confidence is not really going to carry him through the French Open. He’s going to have to start up again, start playing well again, play well in practice and then hope he has good matches in the first few rounds in Paris and now he’s back. For me, Novak he goes in and from the first match on, I’m going to be looking for Novak’s weaknesses."