Djokovic Targets French Open Crown

World number one Novak Djokovic has admitted his chief goal is to win the 2013 French Open title dominated by Rafael Nadal.

Djokovic, who won last month’s Australian Open, may see this year’s event at Roland Garros as his best chance to break his duck in Paris, with Nadal - who has won the past seven French Opens - only just coming back from a long-term knee injury.

“I’m not hiding that priority No 1 is probably Roland Garros because it’s the only Grand Slam I haven’t won in my career,” Djokovic said.

Djokovic was speaking in the UAE, where he defeated friend Viktor Troicki 6-1, 6-4 in his opening match at the Dubai Open.

The Serbian refused to admit that 2013 is his best chance to win the French Open, given Nadal’s injury woes, but said he had observed the Spaniard’s comeback success in Sao Paulo last week where he won a ‘250’ event.

“I’ve seen highlights of his matches, and I watched him playing in Brazil for one set,” Djokovic said.

“He’s still playing really, really well on clay. I didn’t expect any different.

“I’m not in his shoes and I don’t know how he feels physically, but he won a tournament, even though it’s a 250 event and he hasn’t played those tournaments in years.

“I am sure it is going to give him confidence for the rest of the season. He wanted to play matches, and it doesn’t matter at what level. It’s great for tennis that he is back.”