The 2025 French Open is underway, and Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian legend, has kicked off his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a commanding performance. In a first-round clash on May 27 at Roland Garros’ Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic dispatched American Mackenzie McDonald with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory, navigating windy, wet conditions with the poise of a champion. The win marked his 21st consecutive first-round triumph at the French Open, a testament to his enduring dominance. Tennis icon Jimmy Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, weighed in on Djokovic’s performance during the latest episode of his *Advantage Connors* podcast, delivering a verdict that underscored his unwavering belief in the Serbian’s resilience. “I will never count Novak out,” Connors declared, emphasizing that Djokovic’s recent triumph at the Geneva Open has him primed for a deep run in Paris.
Djokovic’s path to Roland Garros this year was anything but smooth. After a stellar 2024 that culminated in an Olympic gold medal on the same Parisian clay, 2025 brought challenges. Early exits at Monte Carlo and Madrid, coupled with a retirement due to a hamstring tear in the Australian Open semi-finals against Alexander Zverev, raised questions about his form. Yet, Djokovic’s decision to compete in Geneva proved pivotal. “I think it was a good move, to be honest, because I was struggling a little bit with [my] confidence level, doubting my game a bit,” he admitted post-match. There, he battled through a grueling three-set final against Hubert Hurkacz, clinching his 100th ATP title and joining Connors (109 titles) and Roger Federer (103) as the only men in the Open Era to reach that milestone. Connors’ son, Brett, noted the strategic brilliance of this choice, saying, “I think his first two rounds were pretty easy… then a really good, dramatic [final]. It was over three hours.” He added that the French Open’s scheduling, with Djokovic playing on Tuesday, gave him ample recovery time. “He beat Maccie McDonald pretty easily, so it seems like he has a good pace and rhythm going,” Brett observed.
Against McDonald, Djokovic was clinical, firing 32 winners to McDonald’s 14 and committing just 20 unforced errors. “He makes it seem like a video game, almost, for him,” McDonald said, acknowledging the gulf in class. The match, played under a closed roof as rain and wind battered Paris, saw Djokovic lose serve only once. “I’m a competitor, and losing stings,” McDonald added, “but playing Novak on that court is something I’ll remember.” Djokovic’s emotional connection to Roland Garros was palpable, as he reflected on his Olympic triumph. “I still remember last year’s Olympic Games. It was the last time I was here,” he told the crowd in French. “The emotion is very strong.” His gold medal, now in his father’s care, remains a vivid memory, with a photo of it tucked in his bag.
Connors, reflecting on Djokovic’s journey, sees parallels to his own career, where resilience defined his late-career runs, like his iconic 1991 US Open semi-final at 39. He believes Djokovic’s preparation in Geneva was a masterstroke, setting him up for the grueling best-of-five format at Roland Garros. “In one way, you think it is not good because, is he going to be tired?” Brett Connors mused, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Djokovic’s next test is France’s Corentin Moutet, a tricky showman he’s beaten twice before, including a 6-3, 6-1 rout on clay at the 2024 Italian Open. “I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court,” Djokovic said, exuding confidence.
As Djokovic eyes history, Connors’ verdict resonates: never underestimate a champion who thrives in adversity. With a potential quarter-final against Zverev and a semi-final clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner looming, Djokovic’s journey is fraught with challenges. Yet, his first-round display and Connors’ endorsement signal that the Serbian maestro, fueled by a century of titles and an unyielding competitive spirit, is far from done.
# Jimmy Connors Backs Novak Djokovic’s French Open Quest
The 2025 French Open is underway, and Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian legend, has kicked off his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title with a commanding performance. In a first-round clash on May 27 at Roland Garros’ Court Philippe-Chatrier, Djokovic dispatched American Mackenzie McDonald with a 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 victory, navigating windy, wet conditions with the poise of a champion. The win marked his 21st consecutive first-round triumph at the French Open, a testament to his enduring dominance. Tennis icon Jimmy Connors, an eight-time Grand Slam champion, weighed in on Djokovic’s performance during the latest episode of his *Advantage Connors* podcast, delivering a verdict that underscored his unwavering belief in the Serbian’s resilience. “I will never count Novak out,” Connors declared, emphasizing that Djokovic’s recent triumph at the Geneva Open has him primed for a deep run in Paris.
Djokovic’s path to Roland Garros this year was anything but smooth. After a stellar 2024 that culminated in an Olympic gold medal on the same Parisian clay, 2025 brought challenges. Early exits at Monte Carlo and Madrid, coupled with a retirement due to a hamstring tear in the Australian Open semi-finals against Alexander Zverev, raised questions about his form. Yet, Djokovic’s decision to compete in Geneva proved pivotal. “I think it was a good move, to be honest, because I was struggling a little bit with [my] confidence level, doubting my game a bit,” he admitted post-match. There, he battled through a grueling three-set final against Hubert Hurkacz, clinching his 100th ATP title and joining Connors (109 titles) and Roger Federer (103) as the only men in the Open Era to reach that milestone. Connors’ son, Brett, noted the strategic brilliance of this choice, saying, “I think his first two rounds were pretty easy… then a really good, dramatic [final]. It was over three hours.” He added that the French Open’s scheduling, with Djokovic playing on Tuesday, gave him ample recovery time. “He beat Maccie McDonald pretty easily, so it seems like he has a good pace and rhythm going,” Brett observed.
Against McDonald, Djokovic was clinical, firing 32 winners to McDonald’s 14 and committing just 20 unforced errors. “He makes it seem like a video game, almost, for him,” McDonald said, acknowledging the gulf in class. The match, played under a closed roof as rain and wind battered Paris, saw Djokovic lose serve only once. “I’m a competitor, and losing stings,” McDonald added, “but playing Novak on that court is something I’ll remember.” Djokovic’s emotional connection to Roland Garros was palpable, as he reflected on his Olympic triumph. “I still remember last year’s Olympic Games. It was the last time I was here,” he told the crowd in French. “The emotion is very strong.” His gold medal, now in his father’s care, remains a vivid memory, with a photo of it tucked in his bag.
Connors, reflecting on Djokovic’s journey, sees parallels to his own career, where resilience defined his late-career runs, like his iconic 1991 US Open semi-final at 39. He believes Djokovic’s preparation in Geneva was a masterstroke, setting him up for the grueling best-of-five format at Roland Garros. “In one way, you think it is not good because, is he going to be tired?” Brett Connors mused, but the evidence suggests otherwise. Djokovic’s next test is France’s Corentin Moutet, a tricky showman he’s beaten twice before, including a 6-3, 6-1 rout on clay at the 2024 Italian Open. “I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court,” Djokovic said, exuding confidence.
As Djokovic eyes history, Connors’ verdict resonates: never underestimate a champion who thrives in adversity. With a potential quarter-final against Zverev and a semi-final clash with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner looming, Djokovic’s journey is fraught with challenges. Yet, his first-round display and Connors’ endorsement signal that the Serbian maestro, fueled by a century of titles and an unyielding competitive spirit, is far from done.
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