Novak Djokovic was booed by the 15,000-strong Court Philippe-Chatrier crowd as he slipped on the court at a tense moment. The world No. 1 was facing home favourite Pierre-Hugues Herbert in a rowdy night-session match.
As Herbert served to stay in the match at 4-5 in the third set, Djokovic took a tumble when he slid towards the net and needed to clean himself up. He returned to his bench and towelled himself down as his opponent waited to serve.
And the French fans weren’t happy as the seconds ticked by and Herbert was still left waiting, as they started to boo and jeer the three-time champion at Roland Garros Former doubles No. 1 Herbert earned a game point to keep himself alive with the shot that left Djokovic on the ground, leading 40-30 on his serve.
But last year’s winner refused to let him get away and broke moments later to seal a 6-4 7-6(4) 6-4 victory.
The fans were back on Djokovic’s side after he started his title defence with a win, cheering the 24-time Grand Slam champion as he left the court.
it’s a welcome victory for the 37-year-old who has struggled to find his usual superior form so far this season. Djokovic has yet to reach a final at any tournament in 2024 and admitted that he had “low expectations and high hopes” coming into Roland Garros.
But he is still holding out for a strong run at the French Open as he is known for peaking at the Grand Slams. “Well, I would say that I know what I’m capable of, and particularly in the Grand Slams I normally play the best tennis, at least I aim always to play the best tennis, and I was most of my career able to do that, so that’s the goal,” he explained ahead of the tournament.
I have been saying, you know, for quite a while that in terms of clay I want to peak here in Paris, in Roland Garros. Last year I had an amazing year, and particularly here in Roland Garros, and hopefully I can, yeah, have a great tournament.
“Of course it does affect me, you know, the five months that I had so far in the year that haven’t been great in terms of my tennis. That’s why I have, you know, a kind of an approach that is focused on a daily basis more trying to build the form and momentum so that I can have a better chance to reach further in the tournament.
