In Paris, Novak Djokovic remains a force in the tennis world, boasting an impressive track record with 100 titles, 24 Grand Slam trophies, and an unprecedented 428 weeks as the No. 1 ranked player. Despite his numerous accolades and undeniable skill, Djokovic occasionally finds himself uneasy about his performance on the court.
Such concerns arose recently when Djokovic faced a string of three consecutive losses, marking his second such streak in 2025. His worry was compounded by an 0-2 record on red clay at the start of the French Open season. To regain his footing, Djokovic decided to participate in the Geneva Open, where a surge in performance saw him undefeated in eight consecutive matches leading up to his quarterfinal match against Alexander Zverev at Roland-Garros. His winning streak from Geneva to Paris includes four victories without dropping a single set.
Reflecting on his recent form, the 38-year-old Serbian acknowledged the challenges of consecutive losses. He admitted, “Losing consecutively can shake your confidence, especially with minimal match play. Doubts inevitably creep in, particularly before a Grand Slam.” However, Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his turnaround, saying, “I’m just glad everything turned out perfectly for me.”
Djokovic and Zverev are no strangers to each other, having faced off 13 times since 2017, with Djokovic leading 8-5 in their head-to-head record. Their last meeting was in the Australian Open semifinals, which prematurely ended due to Djokovic’s hamstring injury. The upcoming quarterfinal in Paris marks their second clash at this venue, with Djokovic historically victorious in their 2019 encounter.
Zverev, the 28-year-old German, recognizes Djokovic’s influence and guidance, stating, “It’s always a privilege to be on court with him.” In another quarterfinal on the horizon, No. 1 seed Jannik Sinner is set to battle unseeded Alexander Bublik, the first player from Kazakhstan to reach such heights in a Grand Slam event. Meanwhile, two surprising American contenders, Carlos Alcaraz and Tommy Paul, along with Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti and Frances Tiafoe, add intrigue to the men’s quarterfinals.
After earlier-than-expected defeats in Monte Carlo and Madrid, some speculated Djokovic might not pose a threat at Roland-Garros this year, despite his three titles there. Notably, Djokovic remains the only player to defeat 14-time champion Rafael Nadal more than once at the French Open. The April defeats against unseeded Alejandro Tabilo and Matteo Arnaldi fueled doubts, as they both won in straight sets.
When asked about considering Djokovic a dark horse, Zverev, a three-time major finalist, dismissed the notion. Confident in Djokovic’s stature, Zverev remarked, “With 24 Grand Slam wins, he’s never considered an underdog. Djokovic unquestionably knows how to play on the big stage and handle significant matches. His experience is undeniable.”