French Open: Experience key for 'machine' Novak Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz will be 'totally ready' - Alex Corretja

Novak Djokovic’s «champion» mentality and experience can drive him to contend for a third French Open title, reckons Alex Corretja. Djokovic has won Roland-Garros twice and is one of the leading contenders to lift the trophy following the withdrawal of 14-time champion Rafael Nadal. Ad Djokovic has not had the best clay preparation, losing early in Monte Carlo and Bosnia-Herzegovina before withdrawing from Madrid and then making the quarter-finals in Rome.

Roland-Garros'Alcaraz fractionally ahead of Djokovic' — Henman on French Open21 HOURS AGO However, among the top players he has by far the most experience at the French Open, and Eurosport expert Corretja thinks that will count for something as he bids for a record 23rd Grand Slam title. “He knows how to win [at Roland-Garros], he has done it already twice and he has won so many majors, he knows how to deal with the pressure even though he didn't have an unbelievable clay-court season," said Corretja. “He is going little by little and he will increase his level.

He knows how to be the favourite of the tournament, and I think Novak is going to be ready to do well. «I'm sure that he's been preparing this season that he’s going to get to Paris and he's going to find his peak at the tournament, and even if he struggles at some moments or whatever, he will find a way. He's a champion.

“He knows how to deal with those moments where there are some questions. And then he will be ready for the important matches. He's very stable, because physically he's strong and because mentally he's like a machine.