With history beckoning, Novak Djokovic kicked off his French Open campaign with a hard-fought victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and a reassuring update on his fitness. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, chasing a record-breaking 25th major title, said that his body was “feeling all right for now” after surviving a stern opening-round test against Frenchman Mpetshi Perricard at Roland Garros on Sunday.
Djokovic was pushed hard by the 80th-ranked home favorite before rallying from a set down to secure a 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 victory in a match that lasted three hours. The Serbian, making only his fourth tour-level appearance of the season, looked rusty in patches but gradually found his rhythm against one of the biggest servers on the circuit.
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“The body is feeling all right for now,” he said while speaking in the post-match press conference. “Of course I have to get the game together, and hopefully that will happen as I progress,” Djokovic added.
The contest was far from straightforward for Djokovic, who struggled initially to contain Mpetshi Perricard’s booming serve and aggressive shot-making. The French youngster had the crowd firmly behind him throughout the evening, with chants of “Gio-vanni, Gio-vanni, Gio-vanni” echoing around Court Philippe-Chatrier after he broke Djokovic during a tense first set.
Mpetshi Perricard capped the opener with back-to-back aces, including one clocked at 223 kph (139 mph), leaving Djokovic visibly frustrated. Yet the veteran gradually absorbed the pressure and finally converted a break point on his 10th opportunity to edge the second set, finishing it with a delicate drop shot that his opponent failed to retrieve.
“It was a good match to be part of, three hours, just what the doctor ordered, at age 39. Here we go,” Djokovic said.
The Serbian later praised his opponent’s extraordinary serving ability. Djokovic said afterwards that Mpetshi Perricard, whom he played for the first time, has “one of the most tremendous serves in terms of precision and speed that I have ever faced in my career.”
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There were flashes of Djokovic’s trademark swagger as the match wore on. After winning a crucial point late in the fourth set with a soft half-volley, he skipped back to the baseline in delight before later celebrating victory with a playful wiggle on court.
The win also carried historical significance. Djokovic equaled French players Richard Gasquet and Antoine Gentian with a men’s record 22nd Roland Garros appearance. His dominance in Paris remains staggering, having reached at least the quarterfinals in 19 of the last 20 editions, while lifting the title in 2016, 2021 and 2023.
