Djokovic still hopeful despite Rome loss
World number one Novak Djokovic heads into the year's second
grand slam at Roland Garros with a positive mindset despite his three set loss
to Rafael Nadal at the Italian Open.
The Serbian star would have felt confident when he hit back in the second set, winning it 6-1, before going down 6-3 in the final set to hand Nadal a tenth title in Rome.
Despite his loss and an indifferent clay season that has seen him knocked out in the round of 16 in Monte Carlo and the semi-finals in Belgrade, he believes that he's in a good place with just under two weeks until the start of the French Open.
"Going into Paris brings me a good sensation," Djokovic was quoted as say to AFP.
"I actually now started to feel like I actually want to feel on clay.
"So I think if I manage to play the way I played last night (against Lorenzo Sonego in the semi-final) and today, I think I have a good chance to go all the way in Paris.
"Of course it's a long shot."
Djokovic will return home to play in Belgrade once again before he heads to the French capital to try and clinch a second title at Roland Garros and a nineteenth Grand Slam crown.
Nadal's form seems to be peaking at the right time going into the French Open with another win on his favoured surface.
"I really wanted this title," Nadal said.
"This had been one of the first important titles I won in my career. I'd won 10 in Monte Carlo, Barcelona and Roland Garros and really wanted this one too."
His confidence will be a concern for the rest of the hopefuls going into the French Open as he looks to maintain his strangle-hold on the title in Paris.
"I think I have been improving this week, but I need to keep going with that improvement," he said Sunday after his win.
"When you improve and you're able to do it every day for a longer time, then you feel more confident and more safe."
Nadal's confidence at the French Open is justified given he has lost just two matches at Roland Garros in 102 matches since 2005.
