Novak Djokovic, after ballet comes message to Jannik Sinner: "No more compliments"

For many he is Jannik Sinner’s number one rival: Novak Djokovic got off on the right foot at Roland Garros, overcoming Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. After a settling first set, lost 7-5 by the Serb, Nole took charge of the match and won the next three partials without particular difficulty. After match point the 24-time Slam champion, who still looked quite fresh, celebrated with a dance that immediately went viral on social media and triggered hundreds of reactions, both positive and negative: “I didn’t do too badly, did I?” he said jokingly in the post-match interview.

The Serbian champion seemed serene and determined, and after the match he sent a message to all his rivals, especially Jannik Sinner: “I’m ready to fight until the end: I had to prepare hard to get here in Paris, a place where I have always tried to do well. Now it remains to be seen how my body will react, but I also have to find the game I want, although I know that’s part of the process.”

“As the years go by, everything becomes more difficult,” admitted the 39-year-old tennis player. “For me, it was probably not the best strategy to come and play here at Roland Garros, where I expect such battles at every round. Actually, it wasn’t in my plans, but it’s a situation I had to accept given the circumstances; it’s just the way it is.”

Djokovic then spoke about his leadership role on the circuit, making another joking reference to Sinner and Alcaraz: “I’m privileged to be in this position, I’m facing players who are much, much younger than me. I’m happy to be able to offer my experience to these young people, although I don’t feel like complimenting some of them anymore since they’ve gotten too strong….”