By Novak Djokovic, the reigning French Open champion, commenced his title defense with a solid victory over Pierre-Hugues Herbert, winning in straight sets 6-4, 7-6 (7-3), 6-4. Despite not having reached a final this year and facing pressure from Jannik Sinner for the world No 1 spot, Djokovic displayed confidence on the court. He has an impressive record in Grand Slam first-round matches, with this win being his 72nd out of 74.
Djokovic, who faced a minor hiccup with a fall during the match, remains focused on Grand Slam success, which he says motivates him daily. He will next play against Roberto Carballes Baena in the second round.
Casper Ruud also made a strong start in his quest for the French Open title, defeating Brazilian qualifier Felipe Meligeni Alves in straight sets. This victory held personal significance as it avenged a family loss from the 1995 Swedish Open, where Alves’ uncle defeated Ruud’s father. Ruud, fresh off a win in Geneva, is looking to build on the success of the past two years in Paris.
Both Djokovic and Ruud have set their sights on deep runs in this year’s French Open, with their opening matches setting a positive tone for their campaigns. Djokovic seeks to extend his Grand Slam record, while Ruud aims to capitalize on his recent form and family motivation to claim the title that has eluded him in the past. Their victories mark a promising start to what could be a memorable tournament for both players.
