In a thrilling night session at Roland Garros, Novak Djokovic showcased why he remains one of tennis's most formidable forces despite being 38 years old. The Serbian legend battled through a challenging four-set match to defeat Alexander Zverev 4-6, 6-3, 6-2, 6-4 in the French Open quarter-finals on June 4, 2025. This victory propels Djokovic into his 13th semi-final at the French Open, where he will face World No. 1 Jannik Sinner in a much-anticipated clash.
The match unfolded under unusual circumstances as tiny flies buzzed around Court Philippe-Chatrier, occasionally disrupting play and even causing Zverev a coughing fit when one flew into his mouth. Despite these distractions, both players remained focused, with Djokovic ultimately adapting better to the conditions and neutralizing Zverev’s powerful serve and groundstrokes.
Djokovic entered the match without any reported health concerns, a stark contrast to their previous encounter at the Australian Open earlier this year where he retired due to a left leg injury. This time, the 24-time Grand Slam champion was in peak form, not dropping a set throughout the tournament until the quarter-final and demonstrating remarkable tactical prowess.
After losing the opening set 4-6, Djokovic turned the tide by employing an array of drop shots—35 in total during the match—to disrupt Zverev’s rhythm. His ability to mix up play, including serve-and-volley tactics, proved critical in wearing down the German opponent. As Djokovic himself put it, "Just trying to mix it up. At one point, I felt like I couldn't go through him, so I tried to bring him to the net. I tried to risk it with the dropshot, serve and volley. It had to be done." His strategic approach paid dividends as he steadily gained control, winning the next three sets convincingly.
Zverev, ranked World No. 3 and the third seed in the tournament, had a solid run en route to the quarter-finals, dropping only one set before facing Djokovic. The German, who was runner-up in Paris last year, struggled to finish points in crucial moments, notably missing two overhead smash opportunities during an extraordinary 41-shot rally in the fourth set. Djokovic’s relentless pressure and court coverage left Zverev chasing shadows, highlighting the Serb’s enduring fitness and competitive edge despite the age gap.
Statistically, Djokovic dominated key aspects of the match. He served six aces to Zverev’s four and maintained a first-serve win percentage of 76%, matching Zverev’s efficiency. However, Djokovic excelled on second serves, winning 56% of those points compared to Zverev’s 35%. He converted four of eight break points while Zverev managed just one of three. Djokovic also outplayed his opponent in winners, tallying 42 to Zverev’s 38, and kept his unforced errors lower with 29 against 44. The match lasted three hours and 17 minutes, a grueling test of endurance and skill.
This victory extended Djokovic’s remarkable winning streak at Roland Garros to 22 matches, a sequence dating back to his loss to Rafael Nadal in the 2022 quarter-finals. Since then, he has claimed the 2023 French Open title and a gold medal at the Paris Olympics. Notably, Djokovic’s 2024 campaign was curtailed not by defeat but by a withdrawal due to a torn knee meniscus, underscoring the physical challenges he has overcome to remain at the sport’s pinnacle.
Looking ahead, Djokovic faces the formidable Jannik Sinner in the semi-finals. Sinner, the world No. 1 and top seed, has been in sensational form, recently defeating Alexander Bublik in straight sets to reach his second consecutive French Open semi-final. Djokovic and Sinner share a balanced head-to-head record of four wins apiece, setting the stage for an epic showdown. Sinner praised Djokovic’s return to form, stating, "He has shown now in the last period that he is back to the level. He plays very, very well, so it's going to be even there quite tactical, but very, very difficult. He's such an experienced player, 24 Grand Slams. I think that says everything." Djokovic echoed the sentiment, expressing respect for his younger opponent: "Jannik is in tremendous form, and he has been the best player for the last couple of years, deservedly. He's been playing some terrific tennis, attacking tennis, and just super strong from every aspect of his game. It's going to be of course semifinals of a Grand Slam against the No. 1 in the world. There is no bigger occasion for me, so I'll try to do my best to step it up and perform as well as I did tonight."
The other men's semi-final will feature Carlos Alcaraz, the defending champion, against Lorenzo Musetti. Alcaraz has been named the primary favorite for the title by Zverev, who ranked the contenders as Carlos Alcaraz first, followed by Jannik Sinner, himself, and Djokovic.
Meanwhile, the women’s singles semi-finals at Roland Garros promise equally compelling narratives. Home wildcard Lois Boisson stunned sixth seed Mirra Andreeva to become the first French woman to reach the semi-finals since Marion Bartoli in 2011. Boisson will face American Coco Gauff, while defending champion Iga Swiatek meets World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a blockbuster clash. Swiatek arrives with a 26-match winning streak at the French Open, while Sabalenka has been dominant in recent tournaments.
Djokovic’s triumph over Zverev also made history as he became the second-oldest man to reach a French Open semi-final, a feat not seen since Pancho Gonzales in 1968. His relentless running and tactical ingenuity, despite the physical demands of the game, were on full display. Djokovic remarked, "My way of playing is based on running, but at my age it’s not so easy to run so much. I tried to impose my rhythm with one or two drop shots. Tonight is one of those reasons why I still keep playing."
The match’s closing moments were a testament to Djokovic’s mental fortitude. Serving for the match, he unleashed an ace and executed multiple drop shots, forcing Zverev into errors and saving several match points before finally sealing the victory on his fifth attempt. The final game alone featured approximately four or five backhand drop shots, a tactic that had worn down Zverev throughout the contest.
With this win, Djokovic keeps his sights set on a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles title, a milestone that would place him clearly ahead of his rivals in the Open Era. Achieving this would require him to overcome not only Zverev and Sinner but also likely Carlos Alcaraz in successive matches—a feat unprecedented in men’s Grand Slam history.
As the tournament progresses, all eyes will be on Djokovic’s quest for glory and whether the seasoned champion can continue defying time and expectations on the red clay of Paris.
