‘Won’t get too excited’, says Novak Djokovic after winning French Open start

PARIS – Defending champion Novak Djokovic “won’t get too excited” after reaching the French Open second round for the 20th time on May 28, as he has endured a worrying decline in form and achievements this season.

The Serbian world No. 1, chasing a fourth title at Roland Garros and record 25th Grand Slam triumph, came through against 142nd-ranked French opponent Pierre-Hugues Herbert 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4.

But without a final this season, he was not getting too far ahead of himself.

“In Monte Carlo (beaten in the semi-finals), Rome (lost in last 32) and Geneva (beaten in the semi-finals), I started the tournament really well. My first matches were great,” he said.

“But the second or third, it was something else... So I don’t want to get too excited.”

The 37-year-old, who witnessed career-long rival and 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal exit the tournament on May 27, arrived in Paris under a cloud.

His best runs were to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost his title to Jannik Sinner, Monte Carlo and Geneva.

Adding injury to insult, he was accidentally hit on the head by a metal water bottle in Rome and suffered stomach problems at the May 19-25 Switzerland event.

“It was a good performance tonight from me,” added Djokovic after his 93rd career win at Roland Garros.

“It was solid. I felt better compared to the previous weeks. I’m moving in the right direction but it’s only the beginning. It’s only one match. We have to see how I will progress in the tournament.”

The Serb, who has advanced to the French Open quarter-finals or better every year since 2010, will next face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena for a place in the last 32.

Meanwhile, he also believes Nadal could be tempted to play the 2025 French Open despite being in attendance at what was generally accepted to be the great Spaniard’s farewell.

Djokovic was in a star-studded crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier as the 22-time Grand Slam champion was knocked out in straight sets in the first round by German fourth seed Alexander Zverev.

“It was great. Iga (Swiatek) was there, (Carlos) Alcaraz was there, and we all wanted to get a glimpse of the atmosphere of that possibly unique moment that could be his last. But it doesn’t appear like that,” he said.

When asked if that meant he expected to see Nadal play at Roland Garros next season when he will celebrate his 39th birthday, the Serb replied: “Yeah, it looks like.

“I think he played very well. Even though he lost in straight sets, the second and third were really close. He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match would have gone in a different direction.” AFP, REUTERS