French Open 2025 results: Novak Djokovic makes winning start to latest bid for history

Djokovic faces a tough route to the trophy. He is projected to meet third seed Alexander Zverev in the quarter-finals, world number one Jannik Sinner in the last four and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the final.

But it is ultimately that pursuit which continues to drive him on in the twilight of his career, with one last record – surpassing Margaret Court for the outright number of Grand Slam singles titles – still left to break.

Djokovic lost serve just once in his first match on Court Philippe Chatrier since his Olympic triumph, hitting 32 winners compared to just 20 unforced errors.

Elsewhere on Tuesday, Germany’s Zverev beat American Learner Tien 6-3 6-3 6-4, and Britain’s world number five Jack Draper came back to win 3-6 6-1 6-4 6-2 against Italy’s Mattia Bellucci.

Britain’s Cameron Norrie could face Djokovic in the fourth round after stunning Russian 11th seed Daniil Medvedev 7-5 6-3 4-6 1-6 7-5.

Australian ninth seed Alex De Minaur was another winner, beating Serb Laslo Djere 6-3 6-4 7-6 (8-6).

Russian 17th seed Andrey Rublev won 6-4 4-6 6-3 6-1 against South Africa’s Lloyd Harris, while Czech 19th seed Jakub Mensik, who beat Djokovic in the Miami Open final in March, beat Frenchman Alexandre Muller 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3.

Sixteenth seed Grigor Dimitrov retired from his match with American Ethan Quinn while leading 6-2 6-3 2-6. The Bulgarian received treatment on his left thigh in the second set and his movement was hindered throughout the third.

Italian Matteo Arnaldi came from two sets down to beat Canadian 29th seed Felix Auger-Aliassime 5-7 2-6 6-3 6-4 6-2, and 30th seed Hubert Hurkacz of Poland was beaten 6-2 6-4 6-2 by Brazilian Joao Fonseca.