Novak Djokovic won a record 36th Masters title at the Italian Open by convincingly seeing off Argentine Diego Schwartzman in straight sets. However, it was his comments after the final which caused a stir as he warned the best was yet to come ahead of next month’s French Open.
After claiming yet another title, Djokovic celebrated by sending Rafael Nadal a serious warning ahead of the French Open.
Despite a shaky start, the Serb won his fifth Italian Open title without too much difficult in the end, winning 7-5, 6-3.
The 1,000 socially distanced fans in Rome witnessed a master at work, playing in his first match since being defaulted in controversial style from the US Open.
And the world no.1 left no doubts as to whether he would continue to dominate the sport as he fired a warning to fierce rival and French Open favourite Nadal.
“I don’t want to sound arrogant, but I haven’t played my best tennis,” said Djokovic. “I still have a few gears and I’ll need them to get a good result at Roland Garros.
“I feel good. Of course this gives me even more confidence that is absolutely necessary for a Grand Slam.”
While he also added of his performance on whole: “I’m super pleased.
“It was a great week, a very challenging week. I don’t think I played my best tennis this week but I think I found my best tennis in the decisive moments.
“I’m proud I managed to needed to find that fifth gear when I needed to.”
Djokovic also passed a record set by Nadal for reaching the most Masters 1000 finals, taking his total up to 52, above Nadal and Federer who have reached 51 and 50 respectively.
