体坛英语新闻：Djokovic feels extra motivation in contention for French Open glory

PARIS, May 24 (Xinhua) -- With three consecutive Grand Slam titles in hand, men's sinlges world No. 1 Novak Djokovic felt "extra motivation and incentive" for going out to win the French Open this year.

Djokovic slumped to as low as 22nd at ATP Rankings after coming back from an elbow surgery last year. However, he successively lifted up the Wimbledon, US Open and Australian Open trophies and made a return to world's top ranking.

Djokovic admitted that French Open is "the tournament that I was preparing for last couple of months and where I want to play my best tennis."

If triumphant at Roland Garros, Djokovic will become the second man holding all four Grand Slam titles twice as he did in 2016, a feat also achieved at Roland Garros.

"For me, there is an extra motivation and incentive to win Roland Garros because of the opportunity to hold all four slams, something I did three years ago in my career, and that gives me obviously enough reason to believe I can do it again," he said.

Djokovic recalled, "12 months ago, the situation was quite different. Obviously recovering from an elbow surgery and dropping out of top 20."

"Twelve months later, I hold three slams and being No. 1 of the world. Obviously it's quite a different feeling approaching the tournament with more confidence. Hopefully I can have a good two weeks," he noted.

Djokovic said that he and his team tried to set up a training schedule that would allow him to reach the top of his potential physically, emotionally and mentally for the Grand Slam.

"That doesn't mean that I take away the importance from other 1000 events or other events I take part in. They are very important for my confidence building, and of course I really want to win every tournament that I participate in, but of course Grand Slams just have a special place," he pointed out.