French Open 2026: Novak Djokovic battles past Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets

Paris 2024 Olympic tennis champion Novak Djokovic's quest for a record-setting 25th major is underway.

The Serb survived a first-round test Sunday (24 May) at Roland Garros 2026, pushing past big-serving Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard of France, 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.

It was the first time Djokovic had lost a set in the first round at the French Open since 2010, when he faced Evgeny Korolev, according to the BBC. He's never lost in the first round in Paris.

The Frenchman broke serve for the first time at 5-5 in the opening set, converting his fourth break point of the game after Djokovic, who turned 39 two days ago, opened the door with a double fault.

Two aces closed out the set.

But the third seed answered in the second, forcing his way through Mpetshi Perricard's serve under sustained pressure. He earned break points at 2-3, 3-4 and 4-5 without converting, with Mpetshi Perricard saving each one behind big first serves.

Serving to force a tiebreak at 5-6, Mpetshi Perricard finally cracked, sending a forehand wide on Djokovic's second set point.

In the third set, the 24-time Grand Slam champion raced to a 3-0 lead before Mpetshi Perricard called for a medical time-out. The Frenchman returned to hold his serve before Djokovic rattled off three straight games – including another break of Mpetshi Perricard's serve – to capture the set.

Djokovic and Mpetshi Perricard traded early breaks to open the fourth set at one game apiece.

The pair held through 3-3. Then, Djokovic took the lead again as Mpetshi Perricard netted a forehand on break point.

From there, Djokovic held his serve twice to close out the nearly three-hour match.

Next up for the world No. 4 is another player from France: Valentin Royer.

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