Djokovic Starts French Open Bid for 25th Grand Slam Title

Novak Djokovic began his quest for a 25th Grand Slam title with a first-round win at the French Open on Tuesday night. Djokovic defeated Pierre-Hugues Herbert in straight sets, 6-4, 7-6 (3), 6-4, though he acknowledged he was not at his best.

“I don’t want to get too excited,” Djokovic said. “I thought it was a good performance for me. Solid. Of course, I could have done better, I think, on return games, but also credit to him for serving very well, for changing things up.”

Djokovic has had a challenging season, showing signs of improvement but still seeking his peak form as he aims to become the first player to win 25 Grand Slam singles titles. Reflecting on the importance of Grand Slams, Djokovic stated, “Grand Slams are the ones that are basically getting me up from the bed every day. Knowing that I have to hit the practice courts, I always think about what I can do in Grand Slams. So here I am. Hopefully I can have another deep run.”

A three-time champion at Roland Garros, Djokovic needs to reach the final to retain his No. 1 ranking. He arrived in Paris without making a final this year, holding a 15-6 record and 0-3 in semifinals, including a recent loss at the Geneva Open. Discussing his outlook for the tournament, Djokovic commented, “Low expectations and high hopes,” adding, “Anything but a title, for me, is not satisfactory.”

“In the moments when it mattered, I think I delivered. Played a great tiebreak. Stayed focused,” Djokovic said of his performance against Herbert. “I’m glad that I started the way I started, the way I felt on the court. Comparing to the previous weeks of tournaments I played, I felt good. Better. So I’m moving in a positive direction. Yeah, it’s just the beginning.”

Herbert, a 33-year-old Frenchman ranked 142nd, received strong support from the home crowd but ultimately fell to Djokovic. The audience cheered for Herbert, chanting, “Let’s go, Pierre-Hugues! Let’s go!” and jeered Djokovic when he took a break to towel off after a fall in the third set.

Djokovic played in the cool evening of a 60-degree (15 Celsius) night, showing frustration at times, especially after early errors in the second set. Despite Herbert’s efforts, Djokovic’s superior play prevailed, with 29 winners compared to Herbert’s 37. A highlight for Djokovic was a sliding backhand winner that set up match point, converted when Herbert double-faulted.

Djokovic’s victory extended his record to 69-0 in first-round matches at Grand Slam events since starting his career with a 3-2 mark. He will face 63rd-ranked Roberto Carballés Baena of Spain in the second round.

Other notable winners on Tuesday included Casper Ruud, Aryna Sabalenka, and Elena Rybakina. Ruud, last year’s French Open finalist, defeated Felipe Meligeni Alves 6-3, 6-4, 6-3. Sabalenka, aiming for a calendar-year Grand Slam, beat Erika Andreeva 6-1, 6-2. Rybakina overcame Greet Minnen 6-2, 6-3.

Sabalenka, currently ranked No. 2, is attempting to become the first woman since Serena Williams in 2015 to win the Australian Open and French Open in the same year. “I’m just trying to separate myself from all those facts,” she said. “I mean, I know that if I’ll be able to focus on myself and I’ll be able to fight for every point and try to find a solution in each game, I will be able to win these big tournaments. But I just try to take it step-by-step.”

The first-round matches were delayed by rain early in the day, affecting all courts except the two with retractable roofs.