Novak Djokovic is aiming to win his fourth French Open title at this year’s event.
The Serbian star, who will play big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard in the first round, last won the title in 2023 when he defeated Casper Ruud in the championship showpiece.
Djokovic is also aiming to add a 25th major title to his collection – one that would make him the most successful Grand Slam singles player in tennis history.
As things stand, Djokovic is tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
Give us your one wild prediction for Roland Garros!
This year, there is one big stumbling block that could crush Djokovic’s hopes of winning a 25th major.
That stumbling block… is Jannik Sinner.
Alison Riske-Amritraj says Novak Djokovic may need temperatures to soar in Paris if he is to beat Jannik Sinner
Jannik Sinner is yet to lose a match on clay this year.
In fact, Sinner has arrived in Roland Garros on the back of a career-best 29-match win streak, dating back to his victory over Dalibor Svrcina in Indian Wells at the start of March.
| Event | Round | Opponent | Result |
| Indian Wells | R2 | Dalibor Svrcina | 6-1, 6-1 |
| Indian Wells | R3 | Denis Shapovalov | 6-3, 6-2 |
| Indian Wells | R4 | Joao Fonseca | 7-6(6), 7-6(4) |
| Indian Wells | QF | Learner Tien | 6-1, 6-2 |
| Indian Wells | SF | Alexander Zverev | 6-2, 6-4 |
| Indain Wells | F | Daniil Medvedev | 7-6(6), 7-6(4) |
| Miami | R2 | Damir Dzumhur | 6-3, 6-3 |
| Miami | R3 | Corentin Moutet | 6-1, 6-4 |
| Miami | R4 | Alex Michelsen | 7-5, 7-6(4) |
| Miami | QF | Frances Tiafoe | 6-2, 6-2 |
| Miami | SF | Alexander Zverev | 6-3, 7-6(4) |
| Miami | F | Jiri Lehecka | 6-4, 6-4 |
| Monte-Carlo | R2 | Ugo Humbert | 6-3, 6-0 |
| Monte-Carlo | R3 | Tomas Machac | 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-3 |
| Monte-Carlo | QF | Felix Auger-Aliassime | 6-3, 6-4 |
| Monte-Carlo | SF | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-4 |
| Monte-Carlo | F | Carlos Alcaraz | 7-6(5), 6-3 |
| Madrid | R2 | Benjamin Bonzi | 6-7(6), 6-1, 6-4 |
| Madrid | R3 | Elmer Moller | 6-2, 6-3 |
| Madrid | R4 | Cameron Norrie | 6-2, 7-5 |
| Madrid | QF | Rafael Jodar | 6-2, 7-6(0) |
| Madrid | SF | Arthur Fils | 6-2, 6-4 |
| Madrid | F | Alexander Zverev | 6-1, 6-2 |
| Rome | R2 | Sebastian Ofner | 6-3, 6-4 |
| Rome | R3 | Alexei Popyrin | 6-2, 6-0 |
| Rome | R4 | Andrea Pellegrino | 6-2, 6-3 |
| Rome | QF | Andrey Rublev | 6-2, 6-4 |
| Rome | SF | Daniil Medvedev | 6-2, 5-7, 6-4 |
| Rome | F | Casper Ruud | 6-4, 6-4 |
The draw has been kind to Djokovic: he cannot play Jannik Sinner until the final in Paris.
With that being said, Sinner defeated Djokovic in straight sets in the semi-finals of last year’s event.
Jimmy Arias, the former world number five, has offered his thoughts on the Serbian star’s mentality ahead of his Roland Garros campaign; while also lauding Djokovic’s ability to beat the very best throughout his long career.
“I mean he’s [Djokovic] really only playing majors almost nowadays and still manages to do very well which is amazing – three out of five sets at his age and he’s able to get through these draws, still making a final in Australia,” Arias said on the Tennis Channel.
“What’s also amazing about Djokovic is those 24 majors happened at a time when you’re facing Federer, when you’re facing Nadal.
“And don’t forget, Andy Murray was sneaking a few of them in as well in those days and was very tough to beat. So the fact that he has amassed what he has amassed in tennis is… impossible.
“I knew he was going to be pretty good when he lost the first time I ever saw him.
“The first time I ever saw him, he lost quarterfinals at Roland Garros to Nadal. He was only 18 years old, I hadn’t really heard of him. He lost the first two sets and defaulted.
“And then, said in the press afterwards, ‘it’s a shame because I was really the better player today.’ At that point, I realised this guy has the mindset to become great because he’s semi-delusional [laughing].”
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Alison Riske-Amritraj, a former top-20 player on the WTA Tour, went on to discuss the circumstances that could benefit Djokovic’s pursuit of a 25th major title.
“Look, I put him in his very own category of being the best ever, going after 25, which would be just absolutely remarkable,” the American began.
“He has all of these Grand Slams behind him.
“I think, if things do go well with the draw and he could get a really hot day against Jannik Sinner, possibly he could find himself having success there.
Riske-Amritraj then highlighted one of Djokovic’s most important strengths – a strength that could aid his title hopes in Paris.
“I just think, first and foremost, when I think of Novak Djokovic, it really is his mindset,” she said. “And I think he changed how a lot of young players go about their business on a daily basis.
Novak Djokovic’s French Open titles
- 2016: defeated Andy Murray in the final, 3–6, 6–1, 6–2, 6–4
- 2021: defeated Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final, 6–7, 2–6, 6–3, 6–2, 6–4
- 2023: defeated Casper Ruud in the final, 7–6(7–1), 6–3, 7–5
“I think of Maria Sharapova for the women’s side, kind of doing that, Serena Williams as well.
“But Novak Djokovic, he is just on another level with that mindset.
“And even when he speaks, you just see this guy is built differently. He thinks differently. And that’s something that I will always remember when I think about Novak Djokovic.”
Djokovic recently added former ATP star and close friend Viktor Troicki to his coaching staff.
Troicki, the former world number 12, was the captain of Serbia’s Olympic team when Djokovic won the Olympic gold medal in 2024.
Could Troicki’s influence make the difference in Paris once again?
Novak Djokovic’s Roland Garros debut
Novak Djokovic made his first appearance in Paris at the 2005 French Open.
Djokovic, who had come through qualifying, defeated American Robert Ginepri in his first-ever main-draw appearance at the event.
Djokovic dominated the contest against Ginepri, winning 6-0, 6-0, 6-3.
Unfortunately for fans of the Serbian star, his run came to an end in the second round.
Djokovic was forced to retire from his second round match against former French Open finalist Guillermo Coria. The score was 6-4, 2-6, 2-3 when Djokovic called time on the contest.
Rafael Nadal went on to win his first Roland Garros title at the event, beating Argentine Mariano Puerta in the final.
