Djokovic looking sharp in clinical win over McDonald at Roland-Garros
The 24-time Grand Slam champion kicked off his search for a 25th major with a straightforward win against Mackenzie McDonald
Novak Djokovic, Roland-Garros, 2025 © Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Novak Djokovic confidently dispatched Mackenzie McDonald, beating the American 6-3, 6-3, 6-3 to ease into the second round of Roland-Garros.
The Serb extends his winning streak at this event to 12 matches, having won the title in 2023 and then being forced to withdraw before his quarter-final match last year with injury.
His last defeat at Roland-Garros was all the way back in 2022, when he lost to Rafael Nadal in the quarter-finals.
Djokovic looked sharp throughout in what was an impressively clinical win and a continuation of the fine form he showed in clinching his 100th career title in Geneva just last week.
roof controversy only delays the inevitable for djokovic
Midway through the second set there was some confusion over whether or not the roof on Philippe-Chatrier would be closed as the weather turned increasingly wet and windy.
As rain swept down onto Roland-Garros’ prime show court, Djokovic was seen several times engaged in discussion with the umpire and other officials regarding the state of play.
“I was just asking, you know, if and when they are going to make a decision to close the roof and how long we will have to play,” Djokovic explained when asked about this in his press conference after the match.
“That was my first question, how long we are going to play under that rain, because it was quite pouring rain out there on the court. It was affecting the court, as well. The court became quite damp and a lot of bad bounces.
“The first information I got from chair umpire was that they decided to wait. And so I asked, who is “they” and where are “they”? He said that it’s supervisors and others that are deciding to leave it open.
I said, ‘Can I just speak to them, and can they come and see it?’ Because it’s quite different from the office or stands and actually being on the court.
“That is basically all that was to it.”
Djokovic : “Great feeling to be back here at Roland Garros”
A break for the three-time champion in the sixth game of the first set was enough to seal the opener. Breaks in the first and seventh games of the second set put Djokovic into a commanding 5-2 lead, before a brief respite for McDonald came as the American salvaged a break back. But the Serb struck again in the next game to seal a two-set lead.
Another early break set Djokovic on the path to victory and he duly served out a comprehensive win a few games later as the rest of the contest went on serve.
“It’s a great feeling to be back here at Roland Garros,” Djokovic told the crowd in French in his on-court interview after the match.
“I don’t know how many Grand Slams I have left, so I’m enjoying every moment. Last year I won the Olympic Games here, and it’s very emotional to be on this court again. I can play even better than today, but it was a solid first round.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion will go on to play either on of two Frenchman in Corentin Moutet or Clement Tabur in the second round.
