Novak Djokovic news: Mats Wilander says desire for 'revenge' makes Serbian Roland Garros favourite

Novak Djokovic will be motivated to win Roland Garros as an act of 'revenge' for his Australian Open deportation, says a former world number one.

Djokovic endured a tumultuous start of the year as he was kicked out of Australia for what the government perceived as anti-vaccination views.

That denied him the chance to win what would have been a record-breaking 21st major.

To rub salt in the wounds, Djokovic had to watch Rafael Nadal win the tournament, meaning his took that particular record instead - at least temporarily.

Djokovic was also prevented from playing Indian Wells and the Miami Open due to his vaccination status, leaving him desperately short of tennis by the time the clay season started in Monte-Carlo.

However, he won the Italian Open last week to signal his return to form and fitness and, with Rafael Nadal battling a foot injury ahead of the French Open, Mats Wilander says the Serbian must now be considered be the favourite at Roland Garros.

"For many reasons I have to say Novak [Djokovic]," Wilander told Marca when asked for his Roland Garros tip.

"First because he has just won Rome and that will give him confidence.

"Then because I think he has a feeling of revenge within him after everything that has happened to him in recent months… with him not being able to play the Australian Open.

"He is the defending champion. He has proven to himself that he can play long matches again despite the loss to [Carlos] Alcaraz in Madrid.

"In Monte=Carlo he gave a bad impression at the end of his match with Davidovich, he looked tired. He is better now and he appears to be. He is the favourite in Paris."