Novak Djokovic needed every ounce of his experience on Day 1 at Roland-Garros. The 39-year-old Serbian survived a gruelling three-hour battle against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the night session on Court Philippe-Chatrier, winning 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4.
This was Djokovic's 82nd Grand Slam main draw appearance. But the record books offered no comfort in the opening set. Mpetshi Perricard's serve, one of the most devastating weapons on tour, proved impenetrable. Djokovic admitted as much afterwards: "Zero chance on his serve in the first set. It's one of the most tremendous serves in terms of precision and speed that I have ever faced in my career."
The second set brought transformation. Where the young Frenchman fired missiles, the Serbian veteran found angles, extended rallies, and sought attrition. The decisive break came at 6-5, stealing the set and shifting the match's momentum entirely.
What followed was clinical. Djokovic cruised through the third set 6-1, rediscovering the fluidity and aggression that have carried him to 24 major titles. The fourth set, tighter in scoreline, never truly escaped his control.
This match carried particular significance. Djokovic had not won a single match on clay this season. A shoulder injury had kept him away from nearly the entire clay swing. Roland-Garros served as his return to the surface, without any competitive reference points.
The Serbian described those three hours as beneficial. At his age, every competitive match is worth more than ten practice sessions. What mattered was not the quality of play but the ability to survive when the level is not yet there.
Djokovic faces Valentin Royer in the second round, a more modest opponent who should allow him to build rhythm before tougher tests ahead. The pursuit of a 25th Grand Slam title remains alive.
