Novak Djokovic had to keep cool by placing ice packs around his neck amid the Paris heat wave at the French Open on Wednesday, Yankee Scores reports.
Novak Djokovic battled 74th-ranked French player Valentin Royer who is 15 years younger than him for more than 3 hours in a 6-3, 6-2,6-7 (7), 6-3 victory.
“It was a very, very difficult match in difficult conditions” Djokovic said. “A big challenge for me. … Experience helped me a lot.”
Djokovic had a chance to close the match earlier when he missed a backhand long in the third-set tiebreaker then needed four more match points in his final service game before a net ball from Royer to conclude the long rally.
After 3 hours and 44 minutes, Djokovic finally stumbled to the clay in celebration. Then he performed his famous violin celebration.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC HITS AN AROUND THE NET POST WINNER AT ROLAND GARROS.
39 years old and still doing things like this.
🤯🤯🤯🤯🤯 pic.twitter.com/kNzfp5PhTt
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 27, 2026
Djokovic came to the French Open with a lot of unanswered questions about his form after losing his only clay-court match before the tournament. He lost to Dino Prizmic, the Croatian at the Italian Open after two months out due to a shoulder injury.
Djokovic came from a set down to defeat Giavanni Mpetshi Perricard, another Frenchman, in the first-round that lasted nearly three hours.
This was Djokovic’s 14th win against Frenchmen at the Roland Garros, and 21st straight qualification to the third-round in Paris. He won the Coupe des Mousquetaires trophy in 2016, 2021, and 2023.
“Hopefully I won’t face another Frenchman until the end of the tournament,” Djokovic said with a laugh during his on-court interview. “Oh my God, I’ve had enough.”
João Fonseca and Novak Djokovic will face each other in the 3rd round of Roland Garros.
