PARIS, FRANCE – MAY 27: Novak Djokovic of Serbia pretends to play a violin on his racket as he celebrates victory in his Men’s Singles second round match against Valentin Royer of France on Day Four of the 2026 French Open at Roland Garros on May 27, 2026 in Paris, France. (Photo by Dan Istitene/Getty Images)
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Novak Djokovic remains alive for a record 25th Grand Slam title despite playing in what Hall of Famer Jim Courier called “a cauldron of heat.”
With temperatures in Paris reaching the low 90s, the 39-year-old Serbian legend prevailed over Frenchman Valentin Royer, 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3 in 3 hours, 43 minutes, in a highly entertaining match to advance to his 21st Roland Garros third round.
On Thursday, he will face either Dino Prizmic of Croatia, who upset Djokovic at the Italian Open, or young Brazilian star Joao Fonseca, the No. 28 seed, in what will likely be a night match.
Djokovic hit 46 winners against 38 unforced errors and won 78% of his first-serve points. he improved to 14-0 against Frenchmen at Roland Garros and 103-17 overall.
He could have ended the match at about the 2-hour, 10-minute mark when he held a match point in the third-set tiebreak. But he could not convert as the 24-year-old Royer hit boldly from the backcourt.
Royer won the third set when Djokovic sailed a backhand long, triggering a roar of applause from the crowd.
That seemed to irritate Djokovic, who knew he would have to spend even longer on court. Both players left the court after the third set to refresh and change kits.
“For Novak to win the title, he almost has to be flawless through the first three or four rounds and have every ounce of energy if he’s going to get through the Zverevs and the Sinners late in the tournament,” Sam Querrey said on TNT.
In the fourth set, Djokovic made the shot of the match – and maybe the tournament – when he stretched wide into the corner and hit a forehand winner around the net post that awed Royer and the crowd and caused Djokovic to smile at the crowd as he walked back to his chair.
Djokovic broke for 3-2 but couldn’t hold on. That led to four consecutive breaks and some entertaining tennis in what Courier described the “cauldron-like conditions” at Roland Garros on Wednesday as “taxing and brutal.”
During the fourth set, Djokovic showed indications of his back or hip tightening and he tried to stretch.
Still, he broke for a 3-1 lead.
Serving at 5-3 in the fourth, Djokovic had three more match points, with Royer saving one with an incredible drop shot.
Djokovic finally converted on his fifth opportunity when Royer hit a forehand into the net.
Djokovic then came to net and motioned like he was play his guitar like a violin for the crowd.