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Djokovic pure gold back at site of Olympic triumph
Glenn Moore, AAP • May 28th, 2025 11:00 am
Britain's Cameron Norrie roars after winning a point against Daniil Medvedev at the French Open | Photo: AP
Novak Djokovic tends to get what Novak Djokovic wants.
For when you're setting out after a record-breaking 25th grand slam triumph on the court where you won your precious Olympic gold and you want that Court Philippe Chatrier roof closed, who is going to argue?
Not French Open organisers, apparently, after the princely one made enough fuss about the spots of rain beginning to dampen the clay during the first set on Tuesday that they bowed to his master's voice.
"At one point the supervisor told me, 'but they're playing everywhere on the outside courts in the same conditions'," explained Djokovic after going on to dismantle American Mackenzie McDonald 6-3 6-3 6-3 in his opener.
"I said, 'yeah, but we are on the court with a roof. Why do you have the roof then? What's the point?'
"In the end they closed the roof. I think it was better for everyone. For the players, for the stands, as well."
Certainly better for him. Last year, Djokovic raged about the "slippery" court, blaming it for causing a torn media meniscus in his right knee. This time, moving sweetly and fresh from his 100th tournament win in Geneva, he just mesmerised his opponent.
"He makes it seem like a video game, almost, for him," marvelled McDonald. "He's able to just do so much. I don't even think he was playing his best tennis or his highest level. But if I pushed him to a different point, he would bring the level up."
While Djokovic was warning ominously that "I have a good feeling", Daniil Medvedev, who was Alex de Minaur's victim last year, most certainly didn't after a familiar flop, the 11th seed this time bowing out at the first hurdle to New Zealand-raised Briton Cameron Norrie 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5.
"He is so tough to beat, I think I deserve a diploma for beating Medvedev because he's beaten me the last four times. It was an unreal match," said Norrie.
Daniil Medvedev stretches to return during his loss to Britain's Cameron Norrie at the French Open | Photo: AP
Elsewhere third seed Alexander Zverev defeated American Learner Tian in straight sets but 16th seed Grigor Dimitrov retired due to injury when 6-2 6-3 2-6 ahead against American qualifier Ethan Quinn.
The first player into the third round was American 13th seed Ben Shelton who did not need to hit a ball in the second round after France's Hugo Gaston withdrew.
New Zealand's Michael Venus is through to the second round of the men's doubles draw alongside Nikola Mektic, defeating the pairing of Matthew Christopher Romios and Gregoire Jacq 6-4 1-6 6-4.
De Minaur may have kept half an eye on Jakub Mensik, the teenage Czech Miami Open champ, who again showed his mettle by handling the usual noisy baiting by a raucous home crowd supporting their local hope Alexandre Muller.
Britain's Cameron Norrie roars after winning a point against Daniil Medvedev at the French Open | Photo: AP
Mensik, who could meet the Australian in the third round, sealed a 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3 victory by celebrating exuberantly and winding up the crowd by pretending to conduct. His mentor Djokovic would have been proud.
"Like Novak says, when sometimes the crowd is against him, I was repeating in my head when they were cheering or shouting Muller's name, I was trying to focus that they are actually shouting my name," said Mensik.
The next teenage sensation to face this examination will be 18-year-old Brazilian wonder boy Joao Fonseca, who knocked out Poland's vastly experienced 30th seed Hubert Hurkacz 6-2 6-4 6-2 on his French Open debut to set up a date with French veteran Pierre-Hugues Herbert.
At age 38, world No.42 Gael Monfils delighted home fans as he rallied from two sets down to beat Hugo Delien 4-6 3-6 6-1 7-6(6-4) 6-1, setting up a clash with fifth seed Jack Draper.
Elsewhere, third seed Alexander Zverev defeated American Learner Tien in straight sets but veteran 16th seed Grigor Dimitrov retired due to injury when 6-2 6-3 2-6 ahead against American qualifier Ethan Quinn.
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