"If I don't win the title, I will not be satisfied" - Novak Djokovic, despite poor form, throws down the gauntlet ahead of French Open 2024

Novak Djokovic might have come into this year's French Open with no title, but that has not stopped the Serb from throwing down the gauntlet to his fellow players at the tournament. By his own admission, anything less than the title at Roland Garros will be a disappointment for the 24-time Grand Slam champion.

Djokovic was last in action at the Geneva Open, where he faced a semifinal exit. Before that, he played at the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Italian Open, losing in the semifinals and the third round respectively.

Despite coming into Paris with a less-than-stellar record on clay, Djokovic asserted in his French Open pre-tournament press conference that he knows exactly how to play at Grand Slams. The World No. 1 proclaimed that he doesn't want to stop making history at his age, even if it means he has to constantly rebuild his game.

As for his chances at the Clay Major, the 37-year-old, who is also the defending champion, maintained that he will keep his hopes high even if he comes in with low expectations into the tournament.

"I know exactly what I have to do in the Grand Slam tournaments. I have experienced it 24 times.

"If I don't win the title, I will not be satisfied. If I play tennis at my age is to continue making history. But it is true that my only chance of being in the final is if I manage to rebuild my game. I have low expectations and high hopes," Djokovic said (via Marca).

Djokovic opens his campaign in Paris against wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert, their second meeting on the ATP Tour. Their first encounter came more than a decade ago, in 2013, when the Serb won in straight sets at the Paris Masters.

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Novak Djokovic could take on Rafael Nadal in the semifinals of the 2024 French Open

Novak Djokovic

The biggest challenge for Novak Djokovic at the 2024 French Open is likely to come in the semifinals, where he's slated to take on World No. 4 Alexander Zverev.

If the German falls early, it's likely to be at the hands of record 14-time Roland Garros champion Rafael Nadal, who has been drawn to play him in the first round.

If Nadal beats Zverev, he will certainly become the favorite to reach the semifinal against Djokovic, setting up a potential 60th meeting with the Serb and a rematch of their last encounter at the French Open in 2022. Back then, the Spaniard won in four sets to send the World No. 1 packing in the quarterfinals and proceeded to win the trophy for his 22nd Grand Slam title.

At the press conference, Novak Djokovic was asked if he has plans to watch the Nadal vs Zverev clash on Monday evening, to which the top seed responded that he will try to fit it into his schedule.

"What time is it? Night session? If it's daytime, I have other commitments, but I'll try to see what I can," he said (via Marca).

The head-to-head between the duo is 30-29 in favor of the World No. 1.