Novak Djokovic has arrived in Paris carrying the weight of expectation once again, but also the comfort of familiarity.
The Serbian great began preparations for Roland Garros with a practice session alongside Alexander Zverev on Court Philippe-Chatrier, signalling the start of another chapter in his pursuit of history.
At 38, Djokovic is no stranger to questions about time, form and fitness. Yet every trip to Paris seems to awaken something different in him.
Roland Garros has often tested his endurance more than any other Slam, but it has also delivered some of the defining moments of his career. He lifted the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2016, 2021 and 2023, while also reaching seven finals on the Paris clay.
This season has been unusual by Djokovic’s standards. Injuries and limited appearances have restricted his rhythm, with only ten matches played so far in 2026.
His return in Rome ended earlier than expected after a defeat to young Croatian Dino Prizmic, raising fresh doubts ahead of the French Open.
Still, dismissing Djokovic before a Grand Slam has rarely been wise. Earlier this year, he reached the Australian Open final after defeating Jannik Sinner before losing to Carlos Alcaraz.
Now, Paris presents another opportunity not only to chase a record 25th Grand Slam title, but to remind the tennis world that champions of Djokovic’s stature are never out of contention for long.