Novak Djokovic approaches the start of his French Open campaign with a mix of cautious expectations and ambitious aspirations. The 37-year-old, aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, commences his journey against French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert under the lights in Paris. Despite claiming his third Roland Garros victory in 2023, Djokovic’s 2024 season has seen setbacks, including early exits in Rome and Geneva.
Expressing humility, Djokovic acknowledges his current form, stating, “I almost feel a bit embarrassed to say what my expectations are – low expectations and high hopes.” He remains steadfast in his pursuit of excellence, noting that anything less than a championship falls short of his standards, supported by his illustrious career achievements.
Facing Herbert, ranked 142nd globally and with limited Grand Slam success, Djokovic recognizes the challenge but maintains his focus on delivering his best tennis, particularly on the clay of Roland Garros, where he aims to peak. Despite recent stumbles, Djokovic’s history of Grand Slam prowess instills confidence in his pursuit of victory in Paris.
Meanwhile, British number one Katie Boulter begins her campaign against former world number two Paula Badosa, acknowledging the tough task ahead. Badosa, despite recent injury struggles, presents a formidable opponent. Boulter, seeded 26th, enters the main draw seeking to make her mark after previous qualifying attempts.
In men’s action, Dan Evans faces a tough challenge against 13th seed Holger Rune, aiming to improve his Roland Garros record. Women’s second seed Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina also feature in the opening round, highlighting the diversity of talent and competition in the tournament.
