PARIS: Once again, Novak Djokovic heads to the French Open knowing full well that a title at Roland Garros will complete a career Grand Slam, something only seven other men have done.

He’s already come quite close to adding the Coupe des Mousquetaires to his trophy collection, finishing as the runner-up in three of the past four years.

“I know he’s looking for that title,” Stan Wawrinka said after beating Djokovic in the 2015 final. “I hope he will get one, one day, because he deserves one.”

This time, even more is at stake for Djokovic: Owner of a 21-match winning streak at Grand Slam tournaments, the guy nicknamed ‘Nole’ — it’s pronounced NO-leh — arrives in Paris with a chance to become the first man in nearly half a century to claim four consecutive major championships.

Roger Federer never did it. Neither did Rafael Nadal, Pete Sampras or Bjorn Borg.

The last man to hold the four most prestigious tennis titles simultaneously was Rod Laver, all the way back in 1969, when he pulled off a true Grand Slam, winning all in the same year.

By winning Wimbledon and the US Open last season and the Australian Open this January, Djokovic is on the verge of what could be called a ‘Nole Slam’, a four-in-a-row feat a la the self-styled ‘Serena Slam’ that Serena Williams has managed to do twice.

Lately, the top-ranked Djokovic has been nearly unbeatable on any surface and in any setting, not just at the Grand Slam events, going 119-9 overall since the start of 2015, a .930 winning percentage, while earning 16 titles.

In 2016, he is 37-3 with a tour-high five titles.

MURRAY THE FORM PLAYER

Still, adding a bit of intrigue, he is coming off a rare loss — and on red clay, no less — when the French Open begins Sunday.

That’s because Djokovic was beaten by Andy Murray in the Italian Open final, the last tuneup for both before the year’s second Grand Slam tournament.

Not that Djokovic sounded too worried by that result. He knew that he was sapped by a couple of lengthy, difficult victories against Nadal and Kei Nishikori.

“I don’t feel that I’m doubtful or I’m shaken up by this loss. Of course, you don’t like to lose,” Djokovic said. “I move on to Paris knowing that I’m going to approach it, hopefully, healthy and refreshed.”

A year ago, he beat Nadal in the French Open quarterfinals, only the second loss in 72 career matches at the tournament for the nine-time champion.

That was part of a rough stretch for Nadal, who appears to be inching closer to finding his old ‘King of Clay’ form.

It would surprise no one if he were around in the latter stages at Roland Garros. The same can be said of Murray, suddenly the owner of three titles on the slowest surface after winning his two majors on hard and grass courts.

Murray, according to the ATP Performance Zone stats, has won 85 percent of his matches on the red dust this year and last, more than any other player.

“The last couple of years, clay has probably been my most successful surface, which I never expected to be the case,” twice Grand Slam champion Murray said. “But I’m not complaining about it. I’m going to Roland Garros with a lot of confidence.”

GRAFF RECORD

Serena joined Murray as a champion in Italy, picking up her first title anywhere in nine months. And she joins Djokovic in hoping to make some history in France.

The 34-year-old American is seeking her 22nd singles title at a Grand Slam tournament to equal Steffi Graf’s record for the Open era, which began in 1968. The all-time mark of 24 belongs to Margaret Smith Court.

The French Open is the only major Williams never has won back-to-back: Her titles came in 2002, 2013 and 2015.

The year after her inaugural French Open title, she lost in three tough sets to eventual winner Justine Henin — hardly a major upset at that time.

But in 2014 she lost a second round tie to young Spaniard Garbine Muguruza, a defeat that recalled her shock first round exit at the hands of Virginie Razzano two years previously.

That defeat to the lowly-ranked French player resulted in Serena re-dedicating herself to the game under the guidance of French coach Patrick Mouratoglou.

The result has been spectacular with her winning two Wimbledon titles, three consecutive US Opens between 2012 and 2014, one further championship in Paris and the Australian Open in 2015.

“I think now it’s different because I want to win more than I think most people ever, but also I think it’s different now because I don’t have anything to prove and I don’t have anything,” she said.

“Whereas five, ten years ago, oh, I’m defending and I feel that pressure. Now it’s like I’m defending, I’m in Paris, it’s cool, and I’m having, you know, the time of my life. I’m just happy to be here.”

RIVALS STRUGGLE

With twice French Open champion Maria Sharapova suspended pending the findings of an anti-doping hearing after she tested positive for Meldonium in Australia this year, the list of players capable of toppling a fully firing Serena is short.

She has played only three tournaments since losing to an inspired Angelique Kerber in the Australian Open final.

The main obstacles between

Serena and a 22nd singles major, appear to be Germany’s Kerber and former world number one Victoria Azarenka, although both have struggled for consistency.

Kerber suffered first-round defeats in Rome and Madrid, although she did win the title on clay in Stuttgart.

Azarenka, ranked five, was back to her best when winning back-to-back titles at Indian Wells and Miami, but doubts have resurfaced. She suffered a back injury in Madrid and lost in the first round in Rome.

Others contenders will be Romanian former finalists Simona Halep and Spain’s hard-hitting Garbine Muguruza.

Published in Dawn, May 22nd, 2016