(Paris) Novak Djokovic, world No.1 and holder of the trophy, had a difficult entry into contention at Roland-Garros, winning in more than two and a half hours over French guest Pierre-Hugues Herbert (142e) 6-4, 7-6 (7/3), 6-4 in the evening session on Tuesday.
Djokovic, who seemed regularly annoyed, won precisely in 2 h 31 min, on a double fault from Herbert. A few points earlier, he had not been able to avoid a fall on the Parisian clay court, visibly without consequences, while rushing towards the net.
On the other side of the net, the thirty-year-old Frenchman played his very first match on the main circuit in 2024. His first even since November 2023.
The Serbian with 24 Grand Slam titles, who has just celebrated his 37th birthday, is so far experiencing a season light years from his usual standards: he has not yet won a single tournament or even played in a final. Its place as world No. 1 is threatened at the end of the Paris fortnight.
Engaged in Geneva the week before Roland-Garros, he lost in the last four, beaten by the Czech Tomas Machac (then 44e) 6-4, 0-6, 6-1 and sick.
He also recently parted ways with two of the key figures in his team: his coach Goran Ivanisevic and his physical trainer Marco Panichi.
In the second round, Djokovic will face Spaniard Roberto Carballes (63e), defeated Frenchman Constant Lestienne 6-3, 7-5