First the work, then the dance: tennis star Novak Djokovic 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.
Djokovic played his 82nd singles match on the Grand Slam stage two days after his 39th birthday, 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.
The favorite initially had a hard time against the strong-serving Mpetshi Perricard, who repeatedly put Djokovic under pressure with his power forehand.
It was only from the end of the second round that Djokovic took complete control of the match, while his opponent’s error rate increased significantly.
