As the 2025 French Open looms on the horizon, the tennis world is abuzz with anticipation for Novak Djokovic’s campaign at Roland Garros, where he aims to add to his storied legacy. The 37-year-old Serbian, a three-time champion in Paris, is set to face France’s Pierre-Hugues Herbert in the first round, a match that marks the beginning of his quest for a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. Amidst swirling questions about his form and fitness, former world No. 1 Mats Wilander has shared a critical insight into Djokovic’s preparation, emphasizing the importance of match play over practice as the key to unlocking his potential on the Parisian clay. With a challenging draw and a season marked by setbacks, Djokovic’s debut is poised to be a defining moment in his pursuit of tennis immortality.
Djokovic, with 24 Grand Slam titles, has faced an uncharacteristically barren 2024, failing to secure an ATP title since his 2023 ATP Finals triumph. His season has been punctuated by a semifinal withdrawal at the Australian Open, losses at Indian Wells, Qatar, and a defeat to Jakub Mensik in the Miami Open final. Yet, a glimmer of brilliance shone through at the Paris Olympics, where he clinched a gold medal by defeating Carlos Alcaraz. Now, as he steps onto the red clay, Djokovic is under pressure to reclaim his dominance. Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion and Eurosport analyst, believes the Serbian’s path to success hinges on one crucial factor: playing competitive matches. “He needs to spend time on a clay court, and he needs to play as many matches, win or lose, that he can before the French Open, despite his age,” Wilander stated, underscoring the necessity of match experience to sharpen Djokovic’s intensity and confidence.
This advice comes at a pivotal time. Djokovic’s clay-court preparation has been limited, with a semifinal loss to Casper Ruud in Monte Carlo and an early exit in Rome. Wilander argues that, unlike Rafael Nadal, whose spin-heavy game made him an immediate force on clay, Djokovic’s flatter, versatile style requires adaptation. “The reason for that to me is that he’s a great clay-court player without being a clay court player, because of the way that he hits the ball,” Wilander explained. He noted that Djokovic’s forehand, while effective, lacks the heavy topspin that thrives on clay, making early-season matches critical for fine-tuning his game. This perspective highlights the challenge Djokovic faces against a field where “pretty much any person in the draw feels that they have a chance to play with Novak to make it a close match.”
Djokovic’s first-round opponent, Herbert, a 34-year-old doubles specialist ranked No. 142, is unlikely to pose a significant threat, but the draw toughens quickly. Potential clashes with players like Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev loom, and with world No. 1 Jannik Sinner and defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the opposite half, Djokovic’s path to the final is fraught with peril. His 92-16 record at Roland Garros, including titles in 2016, 2021, and 2023, speaks to his clay-court prowess, but a knee injury in 2024 forced him to retire during his quarterfinal against Francisco Cerundolo, casting doubt on his durability. “I don’t think the surface matters much when you’re Novak Djokovic,” Wilander remarked, expressing confidence in the Serbian’s ability to adapt if he gains sufficient match time.
Wilander’s optimism is tempered by realism. He acknowledges the physical toll of aging in a sport increasingly dominated by younger stars like Alcaraz and Sinner. Yet, Djokovic’s relentless drive sets him apart. “Tennis is a sport where it’s necessary to nurture that mentality of, ‘It’s never enough’,” Djokovic recently told a business publication, signaling his refusal to slow down. His recent coaching stint with Andy Murray, though brief, showcased his willingness to evolve, with Wilander praising him as “always a student of the game.” As Djokovic steps onto Court Philippe-Chatrier, the tennis world watches to see if he can heed Wilander’s advice, harness his match-ready intensity, and etch another chapter in his legendary career.
# Novak Djokovic’s 2025 French Open Quest: Wilander’s Key Insight
## A Champion’s Return
Novak Djokovic, the 37-year-old Serbian with 24 Grand Slam titles, is set to launch his 2025 French Open campaign against Pierre-Hugues Herbert on May 26 or 27. As the world No. 5 and a three-time Roland Garros champion (2016, 2021, 2023), Djokovic aims to capture a record-extending 25th major. Despite a challenging 2024 without an ATP title, his Olympic gold medal in Paris signals his enduring hunger. Former world No. 1 Mats Wilander has revealed a critical strategy for Djokovic’s success: prioritizing match play over practice to regain his edge on clay.
## Wilander’s Crucial Advice
Wilander, a seven-time Grand Slam champion, believes Djokovic’s preparation hinges on competitive matches. “He needs to spend time on a clay court, and he needs to play as many matches, win or lose, that he can before the French Open, despite his age,” Wilander stated. Unlike Rafael Nadal, whose spin-heavy game was tailor-made for clay, Djokovic’s flatter, versatile style requires adaptation. “The reason for that to me is that he’s a great clay-court player without being a clay court player, because of the way that he hits the ball,” Wilander explained, noting that early-season matches are vital for Djokovic to fine-tune his game against a field eager to challenge him.
## A Season of Setbacks
Djokovic’s 2024 was uncharacteristically quiet, with no ATP titles since the 2023 ATP Finals. Losses in Indian Wells, Qatar, and the Miami Open final, coupled with a semifinal withdrawal at the Australian Open, raised questions about his form. A knee injury during his 2024 French Open quarterfinal against Francisco Cerundolo forced a retirement, underscoring the physical challenges of his 37 years. Yet, his Olympic triumph over Carlos Alcaraz proved his resilience. Wilander insists that match experience, not just practice, will restore Djokovic’s intensity and confidence.
## The Road Ahead
Facing Herbert, a doubles specialist ranked No. 142, Djokovic is favored to advance, but the draw toughens with potential matchups against Casper Ruud or Alexander Zverev. With Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz in the opposite half, a final berth is no guarantee. Djokovic’s 92-16 Roland Garros record reflects his clay-court mastery, but Wilander cautions that “pretty much any person in the draw feels that they have a chance to play with Novak to make it a close match.” Still, Wilander remains optimistic: “I don’t think the surface matters much when you’re Novak Djokovic.”
## A Relentless Pursuit
Djokovic’s drive remains unmatched. “Tennis is a sport where it’s necessary to nurture that mentality of, ‘It’s never enough’,” he said, signaling his refusal to rest on his laurels. His brief coaching stint with Andy Murray highlighted his willingness to evolve, with Wilander calling him “always a student of the game.” As Djokovic steps onto the Parisian clay, his ability to heed Wilander’s advice and leverage match play could determine whether he can overcome a younger field and cement his legacy with another French Open crown.
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