Rafael Nadal the favourite to win French Open, but Patrick McEnroe is ‘leaning towards’ Novak Djokovic

Rafael Nadal might be the bookmakers’ favourite to win this year’s French Open, but Patrick McEnroe feels that Novak Djokovic is “starting to find his range” and he is “leaning towards” the Serbian to win consecutive titles at Roland Garros.

Although there question marks over Nadal’s fitness after his long-standing foot injury flared up again at the Italian Open, the Spaniard remains the King of Paris as he has won 13 titles of his 21 Grand Slams on the red dirt.

After missing the bulk of the first quarter of the 2022 season, Djokovic is coming into form as he reached the semi-final of the Madrid Open and won the Italian Open.

The world No 1 is likely to also have the psychological edge as defeated Nadal in the semi-final at Roland Garros last year en route to lifting a second title in Paris.

Former US Davis Cup captain and current tennis commentator McEnroe admits it is tough to pick between the two, but in the end he opted for Djokovic.

“Normally I would say Nadal is the favourite. Djokovic got him at the French last year, but I still think he (Nadal)’s the favourite, all things being equal.

“But, I think, I’m leaning towards Djokovic at the moment despite the fact that [Carlos] Alcaraz got him in Madrid. Altitude there, the ball jumping a little bit more, and Novak’s starting to find his range. Right now, I’m going Djokovic as the slight favourite.”

Rafael Nadal's injury confession

French Open preview

Wimbledon bans Russian players

Novak v Rafa showdown

Andy Murray proving doubters wrong

Novak Djokovic comeback

Carlos Alcaraz rises to the top

Importance of movement in tennis

Tennis365's clay-court season preview

Tsitsipas ready to shine