Djokovic targets record 25th Grand Slam but poor build‑up clouds Paris bid

BENGALURU: Novak Djokovic heads to ‌the French Open with the singular goal of winning a record 25th Grand Slam title, but his chances of making history have dimmed thanks to a disrupted 2026 campaign that has left the Serb searching for sharpness.
Djokovic has played sparingly since losing to Carlos Alcaraz in the Australian Open final in February, the 38-year-old managing his workload as he deals with a niggling shoulder issue.
An early defeat by Dino Prizmic at the Italian Open this month and the decision to skip his Geneva title defense have left Djokovic with limited claycourt preparation ahead ‌of the year’s ‌second Grand Slam, which begins on Sunday.
“It’s not ‌ideal,” ⁠he said.
“I don’t ⁠recall the last time I had in the last couple years a preparation where I didn’t have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament.
“There’s always something. A new reality that I have to deal with.

It’s frustrating. At the same time, it’s my decision to still perform in that state and condition.