PARIS — Novak Djokovic has been handed a favourable path to his fourth French Open title, but the Serbian superstar may still face two of his biggest nemeses en route to glory at Roland Garros.
The 37-year-old, who claimed his third Coupe des Mousquetaires last year, will begin his title defence against French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert. While the draw appears kind in the early rounds, potential clashes with Casper Ruud and Carlos Alcaraz loom large.
Early Rounds: A Manageable Path
Djokovic's opening rounds present few obvious threats. After Herbert, he could face Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena or Italian qualifier Flavio Cobolli in the second round. The third round might bring a sterner test against Lorenzo Musetti or Gael Monfils, but neither has troubled Djokovic consistently on clay.
"The early rounds are crucial for building rhythm," said former champion Mats Wilander. "Novak has been given time to find his best tennis, which is dangerous for everyone else."
Potential Quarterfinal: Ruud Rematch
The first major hurdle could come in the quarterfinals, where Djokovic may face Casper Ruud. The Norwegian has reached the last two French Open finals and defeated Djokovic in their most recent meeting at Monte Carlo. Their head-to-head stands at 5-2 in Djokovic's favour, but:
- Ruud won their last clay-court encounter
- He's in strong form after winning Barcelona
- The slower conditions suit his heavy topspin game
Semifinal Showdown: Alcaraz Threat
The biggest test could come in the semifinals, where Carlos Alcaraz likely awaits. The Spanish phenom leads their head-to-head 3-2 and won their epic Wimbledon final last year. Though Alcaraz has struggled with injuries this season, he remains:
- The most explosive young talent in tennis
- A proven clay-court champion (Madrid 2022, 2023)
- Capable of matching Djokovic's intensity
Djokovic's Recent Form
The 24-time Grand Slam champion arrives in Paris without a title in 2024 - his longest drought to start a season since 2018. However, he showed signs of improvement in Rome, reaching the semifinals before withdrawing with a minor injury.
"I'm feeling better every day," Djokovic told reporters. "The Grand Slams always bring out my best tennis. Roland Garros holds special memories for me."
Historical Context
A fourth French Open title would see Djokovic:
- Become the first man to win all four Slams at least four times
- Extend his record to 25 Grand Slam titles
- Complete the rare Roland Garros-Wimbledon double three times
The Road Ahead
While the draw appears favourable, Djokovic's path contains significant obstacles. Tennis analyst Craig O'Shannessy notes: "Novak's experience in these situations is unparalleled, but both Ruud and Alcaraz have proven they can trouble him."
The Serbian's first-round match against Herbert will be telling. The Frenchman is a capable doubles specialist with:
- A career-high singles ranking of 36
- Five ATP titles to his name
- Nothing to lose on home soil
Conclusion: History Beckons
Djokovic stands at the threshold of more tennis history. While the draw presents challenges, it also offers him time to build form. As three-time champion Gustavo Kuerten observed: "When Novak is motivated at Roland Garros, he's nearly unbeatable. The question is whether his body can hold up seven matches."
With Rafael Nadal potentially playing his final French Open and Jannik Sinner dealing with injury, the stars may be aligning for Djokovic to extend his Grand Slam record on the Parisian clay.
The tournament begins Sunday, with Djokovic scheduled to play his opening match on Monday or Tuesday. All eyes will be on whether the defending champion can navigate his way past familiar foes to tennis immortality.