Novak Djokovic arrives at Roland Garros facing questions over fitness, form and preparation, but the Serbian legend remains fully focused on one target: winning a historic 25th Grand Slam title.
The 39-year-old admitted ahead of the tournament that the past several months have been physically challenging, describing the last six to eight months as a difficult period for his body. Despite the setbacks, Djokovic insisted his belief in competing for the sport’s biggest titles has not changed.
The world No. 1 continues to prioritise Grand Slam tournaments above all else, carefully managing his schedule as he attempts to extend his record-breaking legacy. His most recent major campaign at the Australian Open ended with a defeat to Carlos Alcaraz after a strong run that included a high-profile semifinal victory over Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic’s preparation for the French Open has been unusually limited. He played very little clay-court tennis before arriving in Paris and suffered defeat in his only warm-up appearance. The Serbian explained that the lack of matches was not intentional, saying his body simply would not allow him to compete more frequently.
His appearance in Rome was mainly about rebuilding rhythm and adapting to competitive pressure again rather than chasing results. Djokovic said recent training sessions have been more encouraging, with his body responding positively over the last 10 days heading into the tournament.
The Roland Garros draw may also offer a slightly clearer path. Djokovic is placed in the bottom half, meaning he can only meet Sinner in a potential final. Meanwhile, Alcaraz’s absence through injury removes one of the biggest threats on clay this season.
While Djokovic insisted the draw does not change his overall mindset, it undoubtedly improves his chances in a tournament where experience and endurance often prove decisive.
His opening-round challenge will come against towering Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, whose powerful serve could immediately test Djokovic’s physical condition and movement on court.
As the Serbian prepares for his 22nd Roland Garros appearance, the tennis world is once again watching to see whether one of the sport’s greatest competitors can defy age and injury to create more history in Paris.
