Patrick Mouratoglou believes Djokovic's victories over Nadal on clay make him the best in the world

Renown tennis coach Patrick Mouratoglou claims that Novak Djokovic is the best player in the world, even on clay ahead of Rafael Nadal.

Although the Serbian has only played in one tournament this year due to his vaccination status, he is scheduled to compete at the upcoming Roland Garros tournament. Conversely, Nadal suffered an injury at Indian Wells that may hamper his preparations for his favorite event in Paris.

Nonetheless, Mouratoglou took to social media to share his views ahead of Roland Garros, and he made it abundantly clear that he still believes Djokovic is the best male player in the world, even on Nadal's favorite surface.

"Roland Garros is the most open it has been in the last 10-15 years," Mouratoglou said in the video posted on Instagram.

"If Novak Djokovic is able to win a lot between the start of the clay season and Roland Garros, then it won’t be that open because Novak, when he is at his best, even on clay, I think he is the best player in the world.

"I know it’s weird to say that when you see the number of Roland Garros that Rafa has won, but if you look at the figures, Novak beats Rafa many times on clay.

"If they have to play each other in the last stages of Roland Garros this year, last year’s match will count in their minds 100%.

"Rafa is going to be tense and Novak [Djokovic] will be much more aggressive because he will be more confident going against Rafa.”

Djokovic beat Nadal in a classic battle on the red dirt at the French Open last year as he took his second Paris crown. This year, however, he will have to find form in a very condensed period in the ATP Tour calendar if he is to find his best play once more.