World No.1 Novak Djokovic said his Italian Open victory was the perfect time to find form as he looks to retain his French Open crown after mixed results earlier in the claycourt swing.

The 20-time grand slam winner clinched his first title in more than six months when he won in Rome last week without dropping a set.

“This surface is the most demanding one... it requires a lot of effort mentally, emotionally, physically,” Djokovic told reporters on Friday. “For me, historically it has required some time and several tournaments to really feel comfortable playing on clay.

“Rome has been a very successful tournament for me in my career, and it was really coming at the right time.”