Novak Djokovic got the crowd on their feet after hitting an incredible shot around the net post in his match against Valentin Royer.
Djokovic beat Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6(7)-7, 6-3 to reach the third round of Roland Garros for a 21st consecutive year.
This was in spite of the crowd being on the side of his opponent, with Djokovic left frustrated with the French crowd during moments of his match against Royer.
One moment where the crowd were in support of Djokovic was when he hit a winning shot around the net post, and he has now revealed what Royer told him in Serbian.
What Valentin Royer told Novak Djokovic after hitting shot around the net post
After failing to convert a match point in the third set tie-break, Djokovic was forced to play a fourth set against Royer.
It was in the third game of this fourth set where Djokovic hit a running forehand winner around the net post to clinch the game.
Royer said something as they approached their benches for the change of ends, and Djokovic has now revealed what the Frenchman told him.
Despite Royer being French, Djokovic told John and Patrick McEnroe on the ‘Maczone’ that he actually spoke to him in Serbian about the shot he hit.
“Valentin told me something in Serbian afterwards, because he spent some time in Serbia actually,” said Djokovic.
“I did not know that he spoke Serbian that well. He was like ‘come on man, this cannot be real this shot’.”
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Novak Djokovic says if he prefers if the crowd are with or against him
Djokovic was also asked about the crowds at Roland Garros, after he was heard saying that they had ‘no respect’ when calling out during his serve.
When asked if he prefers crowds being for or against him, Djokovic admitted that he turns on ‘beast mode’ if someone pushes his buttons.
“I have no freaking idea at this point in my life,” responded Djokovic. “One thing is for sure, I do like it when someone is pushing my buttons.
“Then I turn on the beast mode. I do like to avoid that but if someone is really insisting then I am happy!”
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Djokovic had only played one clay court match coming into Roland Garros this year, but he has now played back-to-back four set matches.
After taking three hours and 44 minutes to beat Royer, Djokovic suggested that he should have won his second round match in three sets.
“It’s part of the tactics, you know! Playing three or four hours in my opening rounds, just as the doctor ordered (laughs),” said Djokovic.
“My fault for not finishing the match in straight sets, I dropped my serve a few times in the third when I was a break up, 3-2 and 4-3. Credit to him, but I had the match in my pocket with match point but I think being too passive in that exchange, he stepped it up, obviously felt great support from the crowd.”
Djokovic will now play Joao Fonseca for the first time in his career, in his third round match at Roland Garros.
