Novak Djokovic commenced his bid to defend his French Open title amidst a rain-soaked Roland Garros on Tuesday, relying on his formidable Grand Slam record to navigate through what has been a lacklustre season for him.
As the world No. 1, Djokovic is aiming for a historic fourth Roland Garros title and a record-extending 25th major, yet he finds himself enduring his most challenging season since 2018.
Despite his status, the Serbian has not clinched a title in 2024 and has struggled to advance beyond the semifinals, with his best showings being at the Australian Open and Monte Carlo Masters.
The 37-year-old Djokovic's season has been marred by setbacks, including an incident in Rome where he was accidentally struck on the head by a metal water bottle, causing nausea and dizziness. Additionally, a stomach issue troubled him during his recent outing in Geneva, where he was eliminated by Tomas Machac.
Reflecting on these challenges, Djokovic remains resolute, focusing on his next challenges and his continual strive for improvement. Despite witnessing his longtime rival Rafael Nadal's surprising exit from the tournament, Djokovic remains steadfast in his determination to excel.
In his opening match at Roland Garros, Djokovic faced French wildcard Pierre-Hugues Herbert, a familiar opponent whom he previously defeated at the Paris Masters in 2013. Meanwhile, torrential rain delayed play on the outside courts for several hours, underscoring the weather challenges at the tournament.
Amidst the rain, Frenchwoman Alize Cornet bid adieu to her Grand Slam journey with a defeat against Zheng Qinwen, ending her remarkable 69th consecutive appearance at a major tournament.
Cornet's tearful departure marked the conclusion of a career highlighted by her tenacity and consistency on the Grand Slam stage, with notable achievements including a career-high ranking of 11th in 2009 and a surprising run to the 2022 Australian Open quarterfinals.
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