The 2025 French Open has been a stage for electrifying tennis, but for Novak Djokovic, the drama extended far beyond the clay courts of Roland Garros. On the night of May 31, 2025, as Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) celebrated their historic 5-0 Champions League final victory over Inter Milan in Munich, the streets of Paris descended into chaos. Djokovic, fresh off a commanding 6-3, 6-4, 6-2 win over qualifier Filip Misolic in the third round, faced a perilous journey back to his hotel near the Arc de Triomphe. The 24-time Grand Slam champion recounted a tense ordeal marked by gas bombs, burning cars, and widespread unrest, highlighting the extraordinary circumstances that tested his resolve off the court. “There were some gas bombs and cars on fire, stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous,” Djokovic said, painting a vivid picture of the turmoil that gripped the French capital.
The night began with a festive atmosphere as PSG fans flooded the streets to celebrate their club’s first-ever Champions League title. The match, played at Munich’s Allianz Arena, saw goals from Désiré Doué, Achraf Hakimi, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia, and Senny Mayulu, igniting euphoria across Paris. At Roland Garros, just blocks from PSG’s Parc des Princes stadium, the crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier was equally distracted, cheering each goal as they followed the final on their phones. “It was interesting. The crowd was really following the game. And I could hear when they scored. It was way too many times that they were celebrating,” Djokovic noted with a wry smile, acknowledging the 5-0 rout that left him puzzled during his match. “I was like, ‘Wow, this is a lot of goals from Paris! What’s going on?’” The chair umpire’s attempt to quiet the crowd after PSG’s fourth goal drew boos, underscoring the infectious excitement that permeated the night.
But the joy quickly turned chaotic. As Djokovic’s match concluded past midnight, the celebrations outside Roland Garros spiraled into violence, with reports of a teenager’s fatal stabbing, 294 arrests, and 205 injuries, including nine police officers. Staying near the Arc de Triomphe, far from the typical player accommodations, Djokovic found himself at the epicenter of the unrest. “At one point, people were quite tense here, for our return to the hotel. They were not suggesting at one point we go back to the hotel at all,” he revealed, describing intense discussions with the tournament’s chief of security. The team debated whether to find alternative lodging near Roland Garros, as the streets were deemed too dangerous. “It was quite a scene yesterday, there was a lot of trouble on the streets,” Djokovic added, noting the presence of tear gas and burning vehicles.
Despite the risks, Djokovic and his team decided to brave the journey after a cautious wait. “In the end, we talked and waited for a bit. Then we decided to go. It was fine. In the end, we reached the hotel all good,” he said, though the chaos continued outside. “It was quite noisy, with a lot of things happening outside of the hotel. It’s interesting in some way to look through your window and see what’s happening. At some point, it was getting out of hand.” Yet, Djokovic remained empathetic to the city’s fervor. “It’s understandable that people are so excited. First-time Champions League winners for this city. It’s one of the most important cities in the world. They’re all celebrating. They still go. It’s going to be several days, I’m sure, of celebration,” he said, recognizing the historic significance of PSG’s triumph.
On the court, Djokovic’s performance was a masterclass in composure. His victory over Misolic marked his 99th win at Roland Garros, tying his Australian Open record and bringing him one step closer to a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title. “Solid when I needed to be,” he said, despite a brief struggle to convert seven break points in the second game. The 38-year-old, who has not dropped a set in the tournament, faces Alexander Zverev in the quarterfinals, a matchup spiced by their playful off-court banter. Djokovic’s Instagram jest about Zverev “spying” on him while posing with the Champions League trophy at Roland Garros added levity to their rivalry. “I want to thank the chief of security who isn’t here, but he was amazing with his team,” Djokovic said, crediting their efforts in ensuring his safe return.
The chaos of that night, coupled with Djokovic’s unflappable performance, underscores his ability to navigate challenges both on and off the court. As Paris continues to revel in PSG’s glory, Djokovic’s “adventure,” as he called it, adds a dramatic chapter to his 20th French Open campaign, with the tennis world watching to see if he can conquer both Zverev and the clay to claim another historic title.
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