PARIS, FRANCE – JUNE 03: Novak Djokovic of Serbia slides at the net for a forehand against Francisco Cerundolo of Argentina in the Men’s Singles fourth round match during Day Nine of the 2024 French Open at Roland Garros on June 03, 2024 in Paris, France. (Photo by Clive Mason/Getty Images)
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If Novak Djokovic is going to contend for a record 25th major title at Roland Garros, he is going to have to navigate a gauntlet of a draw.
The 24-time major champ was dealt a vicious draw on Thursday, starting with huge-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round.
Djokovic, who hasn’t played since losing his first match at the Italian Open, was also drawn to potentially meet world No. 30 Joao Fonseca of Brazil in the third round and No. 17 Casper Ruud, the Italian Open runner-up, in the fourth round.
If the Serbian legend and three-time Roland Garros winner gets that far, he could face world No. 9 Alex De Minaur in the quarterfinals, No. 3 Alexander Zverev in the semis and No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the final.
“If he can get through the first couple rounds, then he can become one of the favorites, obviously,” Patrick McEnroe said of Djokovic Wednesday on a TNT Sports Zoom call with reporters.
As for Sinner, who has won 29 straight matches and six straight ATP Masters 1000 titles, his draw is much easier.
He appears to have a relatively easy path to at least the quarterfinals, where he could face Americans Ben Shelton or Frances Tiafoe.
In the semis, the Italian could face world No. 5 Felix Auger-Aliassime or No. 7 Daniil Medvedev.
Zverev, Djokovic or perhaps American Taylor Fritz could await in the final.