PARIS — Novak Djokovic admitted he "won't sleep much" after a disruptive French Open match that stretched into the early hours of the morning, coinciding with the Champions League final. The world No. 1 battled past Lorenzo Musetti in a grueling five-set thriller that concluded at 3:07 AM local time, marking the latest finish in Roland Garros history.
Djokovic, who was visibly fatigued during his post-match press conference, acknowledged the unusual circumstances. "It’s not ideal, of course, playing until 3 AM with the crowd chanting for football. But these are the matches you live for as a competitor," he said. The 24-time Grand Slam champion overcame Musetti 7-5, 6-7(6), 2-6, 6-3, 6-0 in a match that lasted four hours and 29 minutes.
A Match Interrupted by Football Fever
The clash between Djokovic and Musetti was played against the backdrop of the Champions League final between Real Madrid and Borussia Dortmund. The match, held at London’s Wembley Stadium, kicked off at 9 PM Paris time—just as Djokovic and Musetti were deep in their second set.
Spectators inside Court Philippe-Chatrier frequently checked their phones for updates, and chants of "Madrid! Madrid!" erupted whenever Real Madrid scored. Djokovic, known for his focus, admitted the atmosphere was "unusual but not distracting."
Key Moments of the Match
The match had several turning points:
- Djokovic saved three set points in the first set before clinching it 7-5.
- Musetti fought back in a tense second-set tiebreak, winning 8-6.
- Djokovic appeared fatigued in the third set, losing it 6-2 before regrouping.
The Serbian star then shifted gears, dominating the fourth and fifth sets. "I had to dig deep. Lorenzo played incredible tennis, but experience helped me in the end," Djokovic said.
Djokovic’s Physical and Mental Battle
Playing until the early hours presented unique challenges. Djokovic, 37, is no stranger to late-night matches, but this was his latest finish at Roland Garros. "Recovery will be tough. I won’t sleep much, but I’ll do everything to be ready for the next round," he stated.
His next opponent, Francisco Cerundolo, had a much smoother path, winning his third-round match in straight sets earlier in the day. "It’s not fair, but that’s tennis. I’ve been in these situations before," Djokovic remarked.
Reactions from the Tennis World
Fellow players expressed sympathy for both competitors. Andy Murray tweeted, "Playing until 3 AM is brutal. Huge respect to Novak and Lorenzo for putting on a show in those conditions."
Tournament director Amélie Mauresmo defended the scheduling, stating, "We try to balance TV demands and player welfare. Unfortunately, sometimes matches run late."
Looking Ahead
Djokovic remains on track for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. However, his path won’t get easier. If he advances past Cerundolo, he could face Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals.
Reflecting on the match, Djokovic said, "These are the moments that define champions. I’m proud of how I handled it." Whether he can recover in time for his next match remains to be seen, but if history is any indication, counting him out would be a mistake.
As the sun rose over Paris, Djokovic left the stadium, knowing he had added another unforgettable chapter to his legendary career—even if it cost him a night’s sleep.