Novak Djokovic: French Open Win Would Solidify Superiority over Rafael Nadal

Novak Djokovic is a clay surface away from supremacy.

The Serbian superstar is the No. 1 tennis player in the world, but on clay, he isn’t the king—Rafael Nadal holds that title. But if Djoker steals Rafa’s personal version of homecourt advantage, he’ll become unstoppable.

Djokovic has eliminated Nadal in the Finals of the Australian Open, Wimbledon and the U.S. Open. In the French Open though, he continues to come up empty-handed. Djokovic spoke of his Grand Slam history with Nadal after suffering his second straight loss to the Spaniard in the Italian Open Final:

"

"I cannot say that thought is not present. It's there," he said, according to Yahoo! Sports. "I am going and preparing for a Grand Slam as I prepare for any other big event, with more focus. It's two weeks long and the most important tournament and we always want to deliver out best game. I feel good on the court and I need to make a few adjustments before Paris, but I'll be in top form.

"

Besides last year’s French Open, Djokovic hasn’t lost a Grand Slam tournament since the 2010 Australian Open—that’s how dominant he’s been. Clay is the only thing holding him back from taking total control of the tennis world. A pair of 2012 losses to Nadal on clay courts ended Djokovic’s seven-game winning streak against him.

It isn’t like defeating Rafa on clay is a feat Djokovic hasn’t accomplished in his career. Djokovic beat him convincingly in the 2011 Italian Open. But the more times Nadal conquers Djokovic on clay, the more that triumph looks like a fluke.

Roger Federer is still an elite competitor, but at this point in his career, he isn’t a legitimate threat to Djokovic’s crown. Nadal is the lone danger and will prove to be the one obstacle slowing Djokovic down until he makes that hurdle.

David Daniels is a featured columnist at Bleacher Report and a syndicated writer.

Follow @TheRealDDaniels