Novak Djokovic endured a smooth passage into the second round of the French Open after a straight-set win in round one.
Tim Henman has named Djokovic the best player ever, with the Serbian currently chasing a record 25th Grand Slam title.
ATP number six Djokovic is the sixth seed at the French Open, and won his opener 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 against Mackenzie McDonald.
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion has been drawn to face a home player in round two, with Frenchman Corentin Moutet up next.
Moutet secured his spot in round two of the Grand Slam after defeating compatriot Clement Tabur in the first round, also in straight sets.
If Novak Djokovic expects the French Open crowd to support him or Corentin Moutet
Speaking after his win, Djokovic shared his thoughts on taking on a home player next, having won the French Open three times during his stellar career.
“It’s logical to expect that – let’s take all four slams – if you go and play the local player coming from the country where the slam is played, that they are going to have the crowd on their side and there is nothing strange about it,” he said.
“It’s expected. But it is true that here in France and in Paris compared to other slams, the people are louder and more passionate and give more support and louder support and more energy to their player, which for some players can be annoying.
“It is not the ideal environment you want to be playing in but you have to be ready for it. I have played in a lot of hostile environments in my career and it’s not something I haven’t experienced before.
“I am not saying it’s going to be hostile for me or not, I just expect if I play a French player at Roland Garros that I would expect most of the people will cheer the French player.
“It’s nothing personal to me at all. But on the court when you are there and when certain things happen that cross the line I do understand the players who protect their space, their integrity and if someone disrespects you – you have hecklers.
“I don’t think they are the majority, on the contrary, there are always a few people here and there sometimes that would cross the line.
“It has happened to me quite a few times in my career. And then sometimes I would just ignore it, but sometimes I would face them and that’s it.
“Then we would be crossing each other. It’s a battle out there. Sometimes it’s not just a battle with a player.”
Novak Djokovic must emulate Jannik Sinner and Jakub Mensik at French Open
It will certainly be interesting to see how the French Open fans cheer during the second round clash between Djokovic and Moutet.
The former is a legend of the sport, and has provided Parisian fans with many unforgettable memories over the years.
He won the tournament in 2016, 2021 and 2023, as well as clinching an Olympic gold medal at Roland Garros last year.
But, as they have already shown in the early stages of this year’s Grand Slam, the French Open fans are raucous in their support for home players.
Djokovic must now play the villain as he looks to continue his success from the Geneva Open, where he clinched a 100th ATP Tour title.
And he would be following in the footsteps of a handful of players in that endeavour, with home players having already been upset in Paris.
Czech ace Jakub Mensik used the hostility to his advantage, jokingly interacting with the crowd in Djokovic fashion after defeating Alexandre Muller.
And world number one Jannik Sinner knocked out Arthur Rinderknech in round one, and incidentally takes on legendary Frenchman Richard Gasquet in round two.
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