Djokovic shows he’s back in top form with Italian Open title

ROME –

Only in the right time.

Novak Djokovic lifted his first trophy of this year at the Italian Open on Sunday, and proved that he is back to his best exactly one week before the French Open begins.

Djokovic, who was not vaccinated against coronavirus, missed a significant portion of the season and won 6-0, 7-6 (5) to win his sixth title in Rome.

Djokovic: “I’ve been building up my form for the last few weeks.” said. “It couldn’t be a better timing to enter Roland Garros.”

Djokovic said, “Perfect scenary for me,” later.

On red clay, Iga SWIATEK defended the women’s title by defeating Ons Jabeur 6-1, 6-2. This extended her winning streak to 28 matches.

Djokovic won his 1000th career match against Casper Ruud in semifinals and didn’t lose a set throughout the week.

Djokovic, who was unvaccinated before the Australian Open was held, was deported.

“This year, it was a special situation. It took time because of everything that happened in Australia,” Djokovic said. “I found my best body here. I feel confident going to Paris.

It was Djokovic’s 12th final appearance at the Foro Italico.

He said, “This court was always very, very special.” said. “It has brought me joy when my body needed positive sensations. This city has given me energy whenever my body was feeling a little down.

Djokovic won the first set in just half an hour. Tsitsipas became so frustrated that he banged his racket on his bag during a changeover, and then mangled the frame.

Djokovic was trailing in the second set but he stepped up when Tsitsipas served the set at 5-3.

Djokovic first ripped a cross-court forehand return winner that landed on line. Then on the next point, he pushed Tsitsipas around corner to corner, before the fifth-ranked Greek player tried a drop shot that landed in his net. Djokovic celebrated his victory with a series feist pumps while the crowd chanted his nickname, “NO-LE,”

Djokovic just smiled when a Tsitsipas’ backhand went wide on the match point.

Djokovic dedicated the trophy ceremony with a special dedication. “Today, at 4 p.m., when we started our match, my seven-year-old son Stefan was playing his first match of tennis.” I’m glad he won. This is for him.

The Grand Slam champion, who is now 20 years old, reached the final at his Serbia Open last month. In the Madrid Open semifinals, Carlos Alcaraz, 19, defeated him.

Djokovic won 24 winners to Tsitsipas’s eight and made only 14 unforced errors compared to Tsitsipas’s 20.

Swiatek, ranked No. 54. The 20-year old Polish player is now the favourite to win a second title at Roland Garros next Sunday, when the second Grand Slam of the year begins.

Swiatek said, “I already know that this season I did some fantastic stuff so I feel like i can just play freely.” said. “It’s true that expectations are higher but I have never had a problem cutting it off and not thinking about it.” Additionally, I’m learning from that experience.”

Swiatek has won five consecutive titles in her career.

She said, “All these tournaments I’ve won seem very surreal right now.” said.

Jabeur had an impressive streak with 11 consecutive wins in the final, following her Madrid Open title. However, the Tunisian’s clever game of spins and drop shots was no match for Swiatek’s quick movements and precise groundstrokes.

“Iga is No. Jabeur said. “She is the leader on this tour. She has a lot of things to teach me personally.”

Swiatek was shocked when Jabeur’s backhand landed in the net at the end of the match. She lowered her head to the clay, covered her face with both her hands and bent down.

Justine Henin was the last player to win consecutive matches. She won 32 consecutive matches between 2007 and 2008. Martina Navratilova’s 1984 run of 74 matches is the longest.

Swiatek’s last loss was in Dubai, mid-February to Jelena Osapenko in a tiebreaker in the third set. She has won 42 out of 43 sets that she’s contested.

One fan held up a sign that said “Enjoy the Finals” during the finals. read”Keep politics away from tennis” — this apparent reference is to Wimbledon’s decision, due to the war in Ukraine, to ban players from Russia/Belarus.

Swiatek played with a ribbon to her hat that featured the colors from Ukraine’s flag.