Novak Djokovic to play in Geneva in French Open prep

Novak Djokovic accepted a wild-card invitation and will play next week at the Gonet Geneva Open in Switzerland, tournament officials announced Friday.

According to the ATP Tour, it will be Djokovic's first entry into the lower-level ATP 250 event.

But with his loss to Chile's Alejandro Tabilo in the third round last week in Rome at an ATP Masters 1000 tournament, the World No. 2 undoubtedly is looking for more time on clay in preparation for the French Open.

Djokovic, of Serbia, is the defending champion at Roland Garros in Paris, where the French Open begins May 26. He will be seeking his 25th win in a Grand Slam event.

Djokovic, who will turn 37 on Wednesday, has not won a tournament this season. He is 12-5, losing in the semifinals both to Casper Ruud of Norway on clay in Monte Carlo last month and to Italian Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open in January.

Ruud is an 11-time ATP Tour winner, with 10 of his titles coming on clay. He is a two-time winner in Geneva, where play begins Sunday.