Novak Djokovic's French Open chances could rest on the weather at Roland-Garros - Boris Becker exclusive

Boris Becker feels the weather in Paris could have a big bearing on whether Novak Djokovic can win a 23rd Grand Slam at the French Open. The absence of Rafael Nadal from Roland-Garros has opened up the draw, with Becker feeling any player in the event could dream of victory. Ad Nadal’s absence prompted eyes to be drawn to Djokovic, who would break out of a tie with the Spaniard on 22 majors should he triumph in Paris in June.

Roland-GarrosAlcaraz, Medvedev to face qualifiers; Djokovic starts against Kovacevic2 HOURS AGO Becker coached Djokovic earlier in his career, and is well versed on his strengths and weaknesses. Age is a concern for Becker, who feels Djokovic struggles physically against younger legs on clay — but that a hot fortnight in Paris could tip the balance in the 36-year-old Serb’s favour. “I think he's still king on hard courts and I see him better than anyone on grass right now,” Becker said on Eurosport’s Das Gelbe vom Ball podcast.

“But on clay courts, the players mentioned are maybe a little bit better at the moment. «If you look at the whole Grand Slam history, he won Paris twice. This is the absolute crowning glory for every mere mortal.

However, he has won Melbourne ten times and Wimbledon seven times. In this respect, Paris is not his strongest tournament in terms of the Grand Slam quota.” Djokovic ‘most disappointed’ with Nadal Roland-Garros absence — Wilander ‘This is my right!’ — Halep ‘devastated’ at latest hearing delay over anti-doping breach Djokovic was manhandled out of the Italian Open by Holger Rune, and Becker felt that was an example of how the younger bodies can dominate him on clay. “I also have to say that I also saw the quarter-finals against Rune in Rome, where the young Dane was