In a display of relentless brilliance, Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian tennis titan, has etched his name deeper into the annals of Roland Garros history during the 2025 French Open. On June 2, 2025, Djokovic powered past Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2, 6-3, to reach the quarterfinals, becoming the oldest man in 54 years to achieve this feat in the men’s singles draw at the Paris Grand Slam. At 38 years and 11 days, he surpassed the record previously set by Ken Rosewall, who was 37 years and 213 days old when he reached the 1972 French Open quarterfinals. This milestone underscores Djokovic’s extraordinary longevity and cements his status as one of tennis’s greatest competitors.
The match against Norrie marked Djokovic’s 100th career win at Roland Garros, a tally second only to Rafael Nadal’s 112 victories on the Parisian clay. It also propelled him to his 19th French Open quarterfinal, overtaking Roger Federer’s 18 and setting a new men’s record for Grand Slam quarterfinal appearances at 62. Despite a season marked by challenges, including a hamstring injury that curtailed his Australian Open campaign and a dip in form that saw him relinquish the world No. 1 ranking, Djokovic’s performance was a masterclass in precision and resilience. “I still love this sport and I still love competing,” he declared earlier this year in Brisbane, a sentiment echoed in his commanding display on Court Philippe-Chatrier. His focus was razor-sharp, shrugging off his age to dominate Norrie with his signature backhand and pinpoint serving.
Djokovic’s journey to this historic milestone has been anything but straightforward. Entering the 2025 French Open as the No. 6 seed, his lowest ranking at the tournament in years, he faced skepticism about his ability to compete with younger stars like Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner. Yet, the Serbian, who turned 38 on May 22, 2025, has silenced doubters with a campaign that recalls his record-breaking 2023 French Open triumph, where, at 36 years and 20 days, he became the oldest men’s singles champion in the tournament’s history. That victory over Casper Ruud, 7-6(1), 6-3, 7-5, marked his 23rd Grand Slam title, a men’s record, and saw him become the first man to win each major at least three times. “The day we arrived here, he was better, he was more motivated, he was more hungry,” his coach Goran Ivanisevic said at the time, a testament to Djokovic’s ability to elevate his game when the stakes are highest.
This year’s run has been punctuated by moments of adversity, including a medical timeout for a toe blister during his third-round win over Corentin Moutet. Yet, Djokovic’s mental fortitude—described by fans as making him an “absolute undead nightmare of an opponent”—has carried him through. His victory over Norrie was clinical, with 18 winners to 17 unforced errors, showcasing the same icy resolve that led him to his 100th career title at the Geneva Open just weeks earlier. That milestone made him only the third man in the Open Era, after Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer, to reach a century of titles. “Being on that court with the Serbian flag raising, singing the anthem, with the gold around my neck, I think nothing can beat that,” Djokovic said after his Olympic gold medal win in 2024, a moment that completed his Career Golden Slam.
The tennis world has taken note of Djokovic’s defiance of time. Former player Andrea Petkovic suggested he has “one more Grand Slam title in him,” while Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rick Macci backed him to “win it all on the French red clay” if he stays healthy. As Djokovic prepares to face Tommy Paul in the quarterfinals, the prospect of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title looms large, a feat that would move him clear of Margaret Court’s record of 24, which he currently shares. His 430th Grand Slam match win at the 2025 Australian Open already set a record, surpassing Federer’s 429, and his 413th Masters 1000 victory in Miami earlier this year eclipsed Nadal’s 410.
Djokovic’s longevity is a testament to his meticulous approach to fitness, from his gluten-free diet to hyperbaric chamber sessions, which have kept him competitive into his late 30s. Unlike Federer and Nadal, who won their final majors at 36 and 35, respectively, Djokovic shows no signs of slowing down. “The way I’m feeling today, I still think that I can go strong for years to come,” he told reporters in Brisbane, a bold claim backed by his performance in Paris. As he continues his quest for another French Open crown, Djokovic remains a singular force, rewriting the boundaries of what’s possible in tennis.
Leave a Reply