Only Novak Djokovic can beat Rafael Nadal at French Open, according to Goran Ivanisevic

Goran Ivanisevic, the 2001 Wimbledon champion, believes that only Novak Djokovic stands in the way of Rafael Nadal capturing an unprecedented tenth French Open title in June. For the first time since 2014, a fully healthy Nadal is entering the clay-court season, primed to dominate the Monte Carlo Masters which begins next week.

Last year, the "King of Clay" was forced to skip Roland Garros due to a wrist injury after he breezed through the Monte Carlo Masters and Barcelona Open. A year before, Nadal entered the clay-court season with several injuries before falling to Djokovic in the quarter-finals at French Open. Many analysts believe that Nadal is playing his best tennis since 2014 and walks into this year's French Open as the favourite.

"Nadal will be the favourite at Roland Garros, but the only one who can stop him is Novak Djokovic! Federer won't play a lot of tournaments on this (clay) surface, Maria (Sharapova) is about to come back, there will be many younger players and so it will be interesting. Federer plays tennis in an unbelievable way and I think he can keep winning titles," Ivanisevic was quoted as saying by TennisWorldUSA.

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Though Djokovic holds a 26-23 edge over Nadal in head-to-head matches over the years, the Spaniard holds a 9-4 record against the Serb at Grand Slam events and a 4-3 record in Grand Slam finals. Nadal has also dominated Djokovic at Roland Garros (6-1).

Incidentally, Djokovic has gone into a funk since last year's French Open victory. Since Roland Garros, the Serbian has won only two tournaments -- at Toronto and Doha -- and has made a terrible start to 2017, suffering second-round defeats at the Australian Open and BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. When asked the reason for Djokovic's slump, Ivanisevic said the World No. 2 can regain his rhythm in the near future. "It's difficult for me to comment (as to why Djokovic is struggling). Only Novak knows what's happening in his head, and only he can re-find himself because he is a great tennis player. He needs one or two good results to come back where he belongs too."

Nadal, 30, has won 49 out of his 69 ATP career events on clay courts. Earlier this year, he looked primed to capture Grand Slam No. 15 until Roger Federer made a remarkable comeback in the fifth set of the Australian Open final to deny the Spaniard. After losing to Federer for a third time in 2017, at the Miami Open final, Nadal admitted that he would feel more at home during the clay-court season. "I am (playing) a very high level of tennis and I believe I am ready to win titles. I’m playing well enough to fight for everything, I think. I have good hopes that I am going to be ready for Monte Carlo. Always when I am playing this well, on clay always helps a little bit more for me. So, I am very excited about playing on clay again."