Novak Djokovic says he has a strong chance of winning Roland Garros, after opening with a first-round victory over Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Paris. The Serbian won 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4 and said his physical condition will be the key factor in the weeks ahead.
The 24-time Grand Slam winner also addressed the absence of Carlos Alcaraz, the two-time defending champion at Roland Garros. Djokovic said he had not focused on whether the Spaniard’s withdrawal changes his own chances, adding that if he is healthy and can keep a strong physical level, he always has options.
He said he expects to feel fresher later in the tournament than he does at the start. Djokovic pointed to his performance at the Australian Open this year as part of the reason he remains confident when he steps on court.
For readers following the wider tennis coverage, see our news page for more updates. Roland Garros is one of the sport’s biggest tests, and Djokovic said he has spent the past six to eight months focusing on his body as much as his game.
He said Grand Slams remain his main priority and that he has put many hours into preparing for best-of-five-set matches. Djokovic added that he does not know whether that will be enough for the full tournament, but said he is looking forward to competing.