As the 2025 French Open reaches its fever pitch, Novak Djokovic continues to etch his name into tennis history, not just with his racket but with his grace off the court. Fresh off a commanding 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 quarterfinal victory over Alexander Zverev, the 38-year-old Serbian legend took a moment to honor a fellow icon, Monica Seles, whose kind words about his “greatness” resonated deeply. Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam champion and former world No. 1, praised Djokovic’s enduring brilliance, prompting a heartfelt response from the three-time Roland Garros winner. “Monica, you’re one of the greatest ever. Thank you for your kind words, it really means a lot to me,” Djokovic said, his voice tinged with gratitude as he stood on the cusp of his 13th French Open semifinal.
The exchange unfolded against the backdrop of Djokovic’s relentless pursuit of a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. His battle with Zverev was a masterclass, marked by 43 drop shots that left the German scrambling and the Parisian crowd roaring. “I tried to risk it with the dropshot, serve and volley. It had to be done,” Djokovic explained, detailing his tactical shift to counter Zverev’s early dominance. The victory, his 100th at Roland Garros, solidified his place alongside Rafael Nadal as one of only two men to reach that milestone at the tournament. Yet, it was Seles’ praise, shared via social media, that added an emotional layer to his campaign. “Novak’s greatness is his ability to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible,” Seles had posted, reflecting on his resilience after a season marred by a hamstring injury.
Seles, a trailblazer whose ferocious two-handed groundstrokes redefined women’s tennis in the 1990s, shares a unique bond with Djokovic. Both hailing from Serbia, their journeys intertwine through a shared heritage and a legacy of overcoming adversity. Seles, who won her nine majors between 1990 and 1996, including four French Open titles, faced a harrowing setback when a stabbing incident in 1993 derailed her career at its peak. Djokovic, who has navigated his own challenges—including wrist surgery in 2024 and intense rivalries with Nadal, Federer, and now Alcaraz and Sinner—drew inspiration from her resilience. “Monica’s strength, coming back after everything she went through, is something I’ve always admired,” he said, acknowledging her influence as he prepares to face world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals.
Djokovic’s 2025 French Open run has been a testament to his enduring excellence. After dropping the first set to Zverev, he unleashed a barrage of drop shots and serve-and-volley plays, winning 30 of 43 drop-shot points. “The last game was tactical,” he said in French, charming the crowd. “There’s a lot of wind, and it’s really tough to have the variation.” His 22-match win streak at Roland Garros, bolstered by his 2024 Olympic gold on the same courts, underscores his mastery of clay. “I feel good. I always have high expectations,” he noted after his round-of-16 win over Cameron Norrie, a mindset that has carried him to 100 wins at the tournament.
Seles’ praise highlighted Djokovic’s ability to evolve, a quality evident in his strategic adjustments against Zverev. “He finds a solution to everything I attempted,” Zverev admitted, frustrated by Djokovic’s adaptability. The Serbian’s journey, from a war-torn childhood in Belgrade to tennis immortality, mirrors Seles’ own path of grit and triumph. Her words, calling him “a true champion who inspires the next generation,” struck a chord, prompting Djokovic to reflect on their shared Serbian pride. “To hear this from someone like Monica, who’s been through so much and still achieved greatness, it’s humbling,” he said.
As Djokovic prepares for his clash with Sinner, a rematch of their 2024 Wimbledon epic, the stakes are sky-high. With Carlos Alcaraz facing Lorenzo Musetti in the other semifinal, the men’s draw promises a thrilling climax. Djokovic’s tribute to Seles, woven into his Roland Garros campaign, adds a layer of humanity to his pursuit of history. For the Parisian faithful, chanting “Nole” under the floodlights, his blend of on-court brilliance and off-court humility cements his legacy as not just a champion, but a figure who carries the torch of legends like Seles into tennis’s future.
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