May 24, 2026 – In an impressive display of endurance and skill, Novak Djokovic demonstrated that age is merely a number as he powered through the first round of the French Open. At 39 years old, the Serbian tennis legend overcame 22-year-old Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard with a scoreline of 5-7, 7-5, 6-1, 6-4, marking his 82nd appearance at a Grand Slam event.
Djokovic’s journey on the court was anything but straightforward. After dropping the first set in a tightly contested battle at Roland Garros, the crowd’s energy surged in support of the local favorite. Mpetshi Perricard, who is ranked 80th in the world, capitalized early, dazzling the audience with powerful serves, including an ace clocked at an impressive 223 kph (139 mph). The French player seized the opening set, prompting hopes of an upset.
Yet, Djokovic rallied back, displaying experience and strategic prowess. He broke Perricard’s serve after a tense back-and-forth that lasted nearly two hours, leveling the match at one set each. Following this pivotal moment, the momentum shifted significantly, with Djokovic asserting his dominance in the following two sets.
After the triumph, Djokovic reflected on the atmosphere and the challenge posed by his younger opponent. Playing in front of an enthusiastic French crowd always carries its pressures, but the seasoned champion adeptly navigated the tense moments. “At age 39, a match like this is exactly what the doctor ordered,” Djokovic noted, acknowledging the significance of the physical demands he faced on the clay surface.
This match also marked a significant milestone in Djokovic’s illustrious career, as he set the record for the most Grand Slam tournaments played, surpassing legends Roger Federer and Feliciano Lopez. This latest achievement adds to his already remarkable legacy of 24 Grand Slam titles won throughout his career.
Despite battling through a right shoulder injury earlier in the year, which resulted in a first-round loss at the Italian Open, Djokovic has shown resilience. His journey through the tournament appears more favorable this year, especially with reigning champion Carlos Alcaraz missing due to a wrist injury. Djokovic will not meet top-seeded Jannik Sinner, currently riding a 29-match winning streak, until the finals, should both players progress accordingly.
In addition to Djokovic’s iconic performance, 36-year-old Marco Trungelliti achieved a commendable victory, defeating Kyrian Jacquet 6-4, 6-2, 6-2. Trungelliti, the oldest player in the professional era to break into the top 100, attributes his recent success to a late-blooming career after overcoming challenges off the court, including becoming a whistleblower on match-fixing.
Another player of note was 36-year-old Sorana Cirstea, who made history this week by debuting in the top 20 rankings. She performed strongly, defeating 17-year-old Ksenia Efremova 6-3, 6-1.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Djokovic and other seasoned competitors, including the legendary Stan Wawrinka, who is set to play his final French Open before retiring at the end of the year. The coming days promise high stakes and incredible displays of skill on the clay courts of Roland Garros.
