- The 24-time Grand Slam champion is eyeing record-breaking honours in Paris
- But standing in his way is the number-three seed Zverev on Wednesday night
- Djokovic is playing his first Major since splitting with former coach Andy Murray
Novak Djokovic aimed a lighthearted joke at his French Open quarter-final opponent Alexander Zverev on social media ahead of their meeting on Wednesday evening.
The Serbian serial champion is eyeing a historic 25th Grand Slam title that would nose him ahead of long-term record-breaker Margaret Court, with whom he is currently tied on 24 majors.
Djokovic has moved mostly untroubled through the Roland-Garros draw to date, beating all four of his opponents in the preceding rounds in straight sets in his first Grand Slam appearance since splitting for his coach and former rival Andy Murray.
The 38-year-old’s most significant thrashing broke British hearts on Monday afternoon, with Djokovic besting Cam Norrie 6-2, 6-2, 6-2 on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The former British No1 was powerless in the face of Djokovic’s onslaught in an anti-climatic end to a showing in Paris which the Briton started with a statement win against the number-11 seed Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic and Zverev, who featured in last year’s final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz and is seeded third this fortnight, last met at a Grand Slam earlier this year – when Djokovic was forced to retire before the second set due to injury.
Alexander Zverev posed with the Champions League trophy at the French Open on Monday
But Novak Djokovic suggested that his quarter-final opponent had other motives for being on Court Philippe-Chatrier
Zverev and the Serbian serial champion last met during their shortened Australian Open semi-final in January
Having therefore experienced little of Djokovic’s matchplay in 2025, Zverev stood accused of having made his way to Roland-Garros’ showcourt to pick up some tips while the Serbian was playing Norrie.
Zverev had shared a picture of himself posing with the Champions League trophy on social media, shortly after the cup had been presented to the stadium by player of the tournament and Paris Saint-Germain star Ousmane Dembele.
Djokovic was quick to posit the photo opportunity as a smokescreen, commenting under the picture: ‘Tell the truth. You were there because you were spying on my game.
‘Seeing the trophy was just an excuse (laugh-crying emoji).’
Both Djokovic and Zverev are football fans, with the German an avid follower of Bayern Munich, the absent hosts of Saturday’s final.
His opponent will have even happier with the result of the clash as a supporter of AC Milan, the loathed rivals of PSG’s opponents Inter Milan.
Djokovic had previously voiced his eagerness to take in the final, but was scheduled to play the French Open’s night session for his third-round tie against Filip Misolic instead.
The player instead found himself caught up in the chaotic aftermath in the French capital, as thousands of PSG fans took to the streets for both raucous celebrations and – for a small minority – wreaking havoc, looting, and setting fire to cars.
Paris Saint-Germain superstar Ousmane Dembele presented the trophy as the Champions League winners continue to tour Paris
Djokovic – an AC Milan fan – will have been in high spirits after the win and booking his fourth-round spot on Saturday
But the 24-time Grand Slam champion admitted that Saturday evening’s win had come with security risks for the players returning to the city centre
‘I want to thank the chief of security who isn’t here but he was amazing with his team,’ Djokovic shared in the aftermath of his match against Norrie. ‘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. To maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night.
‘Because at that point it was past midnight and there were some gas bombs and cars on fire, stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous. Actually everything around our hotel which is close to Arc de Triomphe. In the end we talked and waited for a bit.
‘Then we decided to go, it was fine. We reached the hotel all good. But 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 what’s happening. At some point it was getting out of hand.
‘But 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 gonna be several days I’m sure of celebration.’
