At 38 years old, Novak Djokovic is far from done with Roland-Garros . Just a century after his victorious match against Cameron Norrie (6-2, 6-3, 6-2), the Serbian tennis star secured his 101st victory at the iconic Paris Grand Slam, reaching the semifinals for the thirteenth time. However, he faced a fierce challenge from Alexander Zverev , an ambitious competitor who was the unfortunate finalist of both the 2024 edition and the most recent Australian Open .
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Novak Djokovic, centenaire à Roland-Garros, continue d’avancer à l’ombre des favoris
Initially defeated in the first set, Djokovic managed to turn the tide, ultimately winning in four sets (4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4). So far, the three-time winner of Roland-Garros hadn’t lost a single set in this tournament, having dominated his opponents despite arriving in Paris in less-than-optimal form.
To reach this level of play, Djokovic had to endure a tense hour, with Zverev claiming the first set. The German, who broke Djokovic early on and was relentless during his service games, seemed poised to take down the Serbian. Their last encounter ended with Zverev eliminating Djokovic in the Australian Open semifinals in January. Yet, this time, Djokovic awakened to his status as the record holder for *Grand Slam titles*.
A Bit of Pressure
Djokovic showcased his skills by expertly hitting deep baselines, keeping Zverev pinned in the back of the court while adding well-timed drop shots. He displayed the qualities of a true contender, even as he navigated the inevitable tension. Although Zverev showed signs of resilience at the end, Djokovic needed five match points to seal the win, achieved after three hours and seventeen minutes of intense play.
“At the end, there was a bit of tension and pressure, which is normal when you’re playing against Zverev, who has been one of the best players in the world for the past five or six years,” Djokovic shared post-match in front of the Philippe-Chatrier crowd. “Matches like tonight are the reason I continue to play.”
Understated as an outsider at the beginning of the tournament due to disappointing results in earlier clay court events, Djokovic is now on a familiar path toward the final. However, to compete in this coveted spotlight and aim for his first Grand Slam title since the 2023 US Open , he must overcome Jannik Sinner in the semifinals scheduled for Friday.
The Italian world number one has been unbeatable thus far in the 2025 Roland-Garros , not having dropped a set. This was evident in his quarterfinal matchup against Alexander Bublik , where he dominated with a score of 6-1, 7-5, 6-0. Sinner is in pursuit of a fourth Grand Slam title—his first in Paris—and will be the favorite against the tireless Djokovic, having won their last three encounters.