Novak Djokovic is looking to make more history in Paris by becoming the first player to win 25 Grand Slam titles.
The Serbian star had struggled for form during the early stages of the clay-court season, losing his opening matches at the Monte-Carlo Masters and Madrid Open.
Choosing to skip the final clay Masters 1000 event in Rome, Djokovic returned to action at the Geneva Open and immediately found success.
Battling through in three sets, Djokovic beat Hubert Hurkacz in the final to clinch the 100th title of his career and his first of 2025.
Carrying that momentum forward to Paris, Djokovic beat Mackenzie McDonald in his opener, 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to book his spot in the second round.
After the match, one American tennis legend gave his verdict on the 38-year-old, sharing his thoughts on the decisions Djokovic made ahead of the French Open.
Jimmy Connors says it was ‘interesting’ to see Novak Djokovic play Geneva before Roland Garros
During the latest episode of Advantage Connors, former world number one Jimmy Connors reflected on Djokovic’s pre-French Open schedule.
“It’s pretty interesting for him to play a tournament before a Major,” said Connors.
“I thought he would go in and maybe play two or three matches and get some competition and get his game in order and then choose to get to Paris a little bit early and settle in, practice on the courts a bit and get organised.
“But, no, he went through the whole way and won the tournament. Maybe that is him getting on a roll, which is what he really needs.”
Connors’ son, Brett Connors, then looked back at Djokovic’s run to the Geneva Open title.
“I think his first two rounds were pretty easy,” he said.
| Round | Opponent | Score |
| F | Hubert Hurkacz | 5-7, 7-6, 7-6 |
| SF | Cameron Norrie | 6-4, 6-7, 6-1 |
| QF | Matteo Arnaldi | 6-4, 6-4 |
| 2R | Marton Fucsovics | 6-2, 6-3 |
“He beat [Marton] Fucsovic in straights and then [Matteo] Arnaldi.
“Then [Cameron] Norrie gave him a battle, went three there but an easy first set, then a really good, dramatic [final]. It was over three hours.
Brett Connors then said whether he believed Djokovic’s title run could affect his energy levels in Paris.
“In one way, you think it is not good because, is he going to be tired?” he said.
“But the French have three days of first rounds, and they put him on Tuesday. He beat Maccie McDonald pretty easily, so it seems like he has a good pace and rhythm going as he’s going to head into the long stretch of the clay courts at Roland Garros.”
Connors agreed with his son and said he will never count Djokovic out, especially in a Grand Slam tournament.
“You beat someone pretty easily, but it’s still three sets. You are still spending time on the court and putting in the time and grinding out some points and going through all that,” he said.
“Maybe playing the tournament leading up to the French [Open] gave him a little nudge, which says ‘look, I’m in good enough shape and I’ll be able to play these matches’ and just take it one at a time and see what happens from there.
“But, listen, I am never counting him out. You can’t do it.
“He has been too great for too long and knows what it is like to be in that position at Major events.”
Djokovic will return to the court to take on Frenchman Corentin Moutet in his second-round match, as he looks to keep things rolling at Roland Garros.
Novak Djokovic’s head-to-head record with Corentin Moutet
The Serb will likely be confident of securing his place in the third round of the French Open, taking on a player he’s beaten twice before in his next match.
- 2024 Italian Open 2R – Novak Djokovic beat Corentin Moutet, 6-3, 6-1
- 2019 Paris Masters 2R – Novak Djokovic beat Corentin Moutet, 7-6, 6-4
Djokovic dropped just four games in his one career meeting with the Frenchman on clay, at last year’s Italian Open.
Despite his head-to-head dominance, Djokovic would be wise not to underestimate the 26-year-old, who always has a few tricks up his sleeve.
With the French crowd backing him all the way, it wouldn’t come as too much of a surprise to see Moutet prove to be a tricky test for the three-time champion.
Only time will tell who will come out on top when Moutet and Djokovic battle it out on Thursday, May 29.
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