Novak Djokovic may have gained safe passage into the French Open second round, but he was certainly made to work for it by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
That being said, many had expected a fierce battle when the draw was made and the Serbian pitted against the big-serving Frenchman in front of his home crowd.
And, when he fell into a one-set deficit, things looked even bleaker.
Eventually, the 24-time major champion was able to find his feet, understand the serve and close out the match in four sets.
The hope is that such a mentally challenging first match, which lasted just under three hours, has not had too much of an impact on Novak Djokovic’s physical state.
Novak Djokovic discusses his physical state after beating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard
However, speaking to reporters afterwards, he insisted that was the case.
He began by raving about Mpetshi Perricard’s qualities, rating the match and the challenges he faced: “When it comes to the match, it was very challenging obviously mentally, and you know, for me to hold my nerves in the important moment. It hasn’t happened in the first set, but then after it was great because I was able to read his serve a bit more and anticipate better.
Do you feel more or less confident that Novak Djokovic can win Roland Garros after that performance?
“First set, zero chance really on his serve. It’s one of the most tremendous serves in terms of precision and speed that I have ever faced in my career.
“So kudos to him and good luck, you know. I think nobody wants him in the draw, to be honest. And, you know, if he puts certain things together, he can have a really bright future.”
Djokovic then added, about his fitness: “All in all, you know, it was a good match to be part of, three hours, just what the doctor ordered, you know, at aged 39, and here we go.”
Then asked to explain the difficulties of reaching that top level at his age, the Serbian stated: “Well, it is more challenging, for me on the surface, and I’ve said it before, and obviously this is not an ideal strategy of coming into Roland Garros with one match on clay. That was not part of the plan, but it was, you know, a situation that I had to accept with circumstances of being injured; it is what it is.
“I got myself prepared for Paris, and I was always planning to come and try my best, you know, try to get as far as I can in the tournament.
“Let’s see, you know, the body’s feeling all right for now, and of course, I have to get the game together. Hopefully, that will happen as I progress.”
Even before the match had concluded, Djokovic had already made more tennis history, simply by taking to the court against Mpetshi Perricard.
Novak Djokovic handed boost as top player in his draw loses early
Djokovic will want to enjoy as easy and quick a passage through each Roland Garros round as possible, to ensure he remains as physically fresh as possible when he does face one of the better players in the later rounds.
And, if that is to be the case, the 39-year-old will need some fortune with early exits from his biggest competition around him in the draw.
Give us your one wild prediction for Roland Garros!
Fortunately, already some of those stars have started to stumble, with Taylor Fritz the biggest casualty of the tournament so far, having lost to Nishesh Basavareddy in the very first round.
He would have likely had to play Djokovic in the semi-finals, had he made it that far.
Alexander Zverev now represents the outstanding threat from his area of the draw.
