In the electrifying atmosphere of Court Philippe-Chatrier during the 2025 French Open, Novak Djokovic once again proved why he remains a titan of tennis. The 38-year-old Serbian legend battled past world No. 3 Alexander Zverev in a thrilling quarterfinal, securing a 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 victory to advance to his 13th Roland Garros semifinal. The match, a three-hour spectacle under the Parisian lights, showcased Djokovic’s tactical genius, with one weapon standing out above all: his “devastating” drop shot. As former world No. 1 Jim Courier observed, this delicate stroke was the key to unraveling Zverev, leaving the German scrambling and unable to counter its precision.
Zverev came out firing, breaking Djokovic’s serve in the opening game and clinching the first set 6-4 with a blistering 199 km/h ace. His serve, the most prolific on clay this season with 101 aces, and his punishing backhand gave him early control. “I made some winning shots and bothered him with my serve,” Zverev said, reflecting on his strong start. But Djokovic, who hadn’t dropped a set in his previous four matches, shifted gears with ruthless efficiency. Courier pinpointed the turning point: “Djokovic’s drop shots were devastating for Zverev tonight. It just completely threw him off.” Djokovic unleashed 43 drop shots, winning 30 points with the tactic, a strategy that “made Zverev completely mad,” as one observer noted. The German, known for his baseline dominance, was forced to sprint forward repeatedly, disrupting his rhythm on the heavy clay.
Djokovic’s tactical shift was born of necessity. “At one point, I had no idea how to win a baseline point against him,” he admitted post-match. “I tried to risk it with the dropshot, serve and volley. It had to be done.” The windy conditions amplified the effectiveness of his strategy, as he explained, “There’s a lot of wind, and it’s really tough to have the variation.” A pivotal moment came in a 41-shot rally in the third set, where Djokovic’s relentless defense and a perfectly executed drop shot left Zverev stranded, sparking roars from the crowd. By the fourth set, Djokovic’s mix of serve-and-volley and pinpoint drop shots sealed the match, with a final drop shot on his fifth match point forcing Zverev to swipe wide. “The last game was tactical,” Djokovic said in French, charming the Parisian fans. “I tried to impose my rhythm with two or three drop shots which worked well for me.”
Zverev, despite his 74.8% win rate in Grand Slams, couldn’t find answers. “At one point, I had no idea how to win a baseline point against him,” he confessed. “He finds a solution to everything I attempted.” His frustration echoed a broader struggle: at 27, with 23 ATP titles and an Olympic gold, Zverev remains 0-3 in Grand Slam finals, with losses to top players like Djokovic, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner. “It was a great match for me, I was really close to turning that second set around,” he said, lamenting a forehand error that shifted momentum. Courier, analyzing the match, emphasized Djokovic’s mental edge: “Novak’s ability to mix up his game with those drop shots shows why he’s still a cut above, even at 38.”
Djokovic’s victory, his 100th at Roland Garros, sets up a blockbuster semifinal against Sinner, with their head-to-head tied at 4-4. “Jannik is in tremendous form, and he has been the best player for the last couple of years, deservedly,” Djokovic said, acknowledging the challenge ahead. His 22-match win streak at Roland Garros, bolstered by his 2024 Olympic gold on the same courts, underscores his mastery. For Zverev, the loss is another reminder of his Grand Slam hurdle, despite a season that included a final in Melbourne and a title in Hamburg. As Djokovic eyes a record-extending 25th major, his drop shot wizardry has not only frustrated Zverev but also captivated fans, cementing his legacy as a tactical genius on tennis’s grandest stage.
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