French Open
Djoković wins record match in Paris – and shows dance performance
05/25/2026 – 01:08 amReading time: 2 minutes
The Grand Slam record winner improved after a weak start against a local hero. Now the next Frenchman is waiting.
First the work, then the dance: Tennis star Novak Djoković has mastered the opening hurdle of the French Open in his record match after initial problems.
The Serb defeated Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 5:7, 7:5, 6:1, 6:4 in Paris. After the match point was converted, Djokovic caused the spectators to cheer with a dance performance. “The body feels pretty good at the moment and I still have to get the game under control,” said Djoković after the game.
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Two days after his 39th birthday, Djoković played his 82nd singles appearance on the Grand Slam stage, setting a record.
“An unparalleled longevity on the highest stage,” was written in a post from the tournament on X. The 24-time Grand Slam tournament winner has never been eliminated in the first round at Roland Garros.
Boris Becker: “Now you can come back by playing”
“I think it’s right that he’s playing in Paris. Now by playing you get back again,” said Germany’s tennis icon Boris Becker, who trained Djoković for years, before the match on Eurosport and explained: “Because I think he’s already looking a little bit towards Wimbledon, the grass season. That’s where I think his chances of winning the title are greatest.”
The favorite initially had a hard time against the strong-serving Mpetshi Perricard – and not just because the audience loudly supported Mpetshi Perricard. Because he repeatedly put Djoković under pressure with his power forehand.
It was only from the end of the second round that Djoković took complete control of the match, while his opponent’s error rate increased significantly.
Djoković could meet Zverev in the semifinals
Djoković is in third place after defending champion Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to injury in Paris. In a possible semi-final he could meet Germany’s top player Alexander Zverev, whom he clearly beat in the round of the top eight last year.
Zverev, who moved into round two against Benjamin Bonzi in three sets on Sunday afternoon, no longer has to fear Taylor Fritz. The American, against whom Hamburg had recently lost six times in a row, surprisingly lost to his compatriot Nishesh Basavareddy.
