Novak Djokovic Battling Age, Form Struggles In Record Quest

Novak Djokovic launches his latest bid for a record-setting 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open, hoping to fight off his advancing years and potentially end a 10-month wait for his 100th ATP tournament victory. The 38-year-old has struggled for his best since defeating Carlos Alcaraz to win Olympic gold in Paris last year and returns to Roland Garros shortly after splitting from coach and former rival Andy Murray. "I know what it takes to be a Grand Slam champion," said Djokovic, speaking ahead of this week's warm-up event in Geneva.

"It's not as smooth and easy for me as it was 10 years ago. Obviously, things change and my life has changed a lot, but for (the) better, to be honest."

The Serbian has proven at various points this year that the old magic has not completely gone, with highlights including his Australian Open quarter-final victory over Alcaraz and a run to the Miami Masters final.

But a loss in that match to teenager Jakub Mensik was followed by back-to-back exits in his opening matches at the Monte Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open, against Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi respectively.

Djokovic has uncharacteristically lost six times already this year to players ranked outside the world's top 30.

"Trying to win a match or two, not really thinking about getting far in the tournament," Djokovic admitted after his loss to Arnaldi in Madrid.

"It's a completely different feeling from what I had in 20-plus years of professional tennis.

"It's a challenge for me mentally to really face these kinds of sensations on the court, going out early now regularly in tournaments."

Djokovic, the last active member of the 'big three' after the retirements of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, has been ranked outside the