Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic backed for resurgence at French Open by Chris Evert - ‘Can’t underestimate Rafa’

Chris Evert is backing Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic to come through their recent injury woes and make a strong challenge for the French Open title. Nadal has endured a torrid first half of 2023 and was most recently forced to pull out of the Rome Masters with a hip injury. Ad Djokovic meanwhile will be able to defend his title in the Italian capital after recovering from a sore elbow.

Roland-Garros‘It will be brutal’ – Federer hopeful Nadal will make French Open07/05/2023 AT 20:36 In their absence on tour, Carlos Alcaraz has continued to emerge as the leading men's player, winning in Barcelona and Madrid to underline his credentials ahead of Roland-Garros. «Hopefully everybody's healthy — it seems like a lot of the players have been injured recently,» Evert told members of the media ahead of the French Open, which will be live on Eurosport and discovery+. «When I look at the men — Novak and Rafa — with question marks about their health.

These two are the greatest, they've been the greatest clay-court players in the last few years and as they get older, they're getting a little bit more injured. »We don't know what their status is going to be. I'm curious to see Novak and Rafa, just hopefully they're 100%, but we don't know.

«You can't underestimate Rafa. I really haven't seen great clay-court form from either of them in the last few weeks. I just feel like maybe their preparation isn't great.

Alcaraz has had the better preparation. He's confident as heck. Alcaraz overcomes 'hard times and pain' to win Laureus award What does Sabalenka's 'revenge' win over Swiatek mean for French Open? Konta: Raducanu won't take 'extra time out', can still do 'brilliant things' »When it comes to Novak and Rafa, they're the ones with