VINTAGE NOVAK: Novak Djokovic wins 100th match at French Open for quarter-final berth

Romantic relic Novak Djokovic turned the clock back with an inspiring straight-sets win over Briton Cameron Norie to keep alive his dreams of a 25^th Grand Slam title. By winning his 100^th match on the brick red clay at Roland Garros on Monday evening, Novak scripted history. For someone who is past prime, according to a few critics, the Serbian showed that at 38 he can still purr and roar like a vintage car which can still be thrown into top gear.

Very recently, Novak had walked into the 100 club, when he won his 100^th ATP Tour title in Geneva. At that time, he had joined legends Jimmy Connors and Roger Federer in a special club. Funnily, some on social media had said Novak was not training hard for the clay swing. Perhaps, Novak was smiling, for he has never shied away from putting in a 100 per cent effort since the time he turned pro. At the French Open this year, , Novak has won with a calmness. Yes, the next round against Alexander Zverev will be tough, though it makes no difference to Novak.

For those statistically minded. Novak set a few records with this win. At 38, he is the oldest French Open quarter-finalist. The best record at this venue is held by King Rafael Nadal, who has won 112 matches. Yet, for someone who has enjoyed lavish success on grass and hard courts, adapting to clay is more about mindset than changing his game.

When Novak split with coach Andy Murray after a brief stint in 2025, tongues wagged. The duo had split amicably, though Novak was able to pick the brains of Sir Andy and maximise his performance. Sadly, a deep muscle tear (abdomen) had forced him out of the Australian Open in January. For those who think Novak has to play matches in bulk, that’s nonsense. He has been at it for decades and knows how much to play, how to handle bis body. As for ‘peaking’ that he has done over and over again in his long journey.

At the French Open in 2024, Novak was treated shabbily by the organisers. They made him play in bizarre night schedules which were so late, one could almost sight the break of down. It was also in 2024, Novak slipped on wet clay and injured his knee. A quick surgery for a meniscus tear saw Novak into rehab and practice so fast. He was so prompt in recovering and competing, which saw him enter the Wimbledon draw. Of course, Carlos Alcaraz got him.

Then came that defining moment within weeks when Novak showcased immense skills and strokes to win the gold medal at the same Roland Garros during the Paris 2024 Olympics. He broke down in tears after winning the gold medal. Asked if he was going to continue or quit, Novak smiled. Watching the fit Serb produce tennis of silken skills even now, there is no reason why anyone should want him to retire.

He gets emotional as well as melancholic at times, when he reminisces about old times when he competed with Andy, Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal. Today, even though the chatter is about Alcaraz and controversial Jannik Sinner, Novak is still relevant.

“In terms of how I was striking the ball, I think I played solid,” said Djokovic later. “I can always expect myself to play better. Considering the opponent’s form, as well, and the last‑16 round and the occasion, I think was a very good match. From my side, a very solid performance,” added Novak.

There has been a lot of chaos in Paris since the weekend when PSG won the Champions League on Saturday night. What followed on the streets of Paris was arson, violence and burning of cars and public property. Novak, not new to violence, as he has seen war in his younger days, recalled the violence in Paris as well.

“People were quite tense here, I must say, for our return to the hotel,” Djokovic said. “They were not suggesting us at one point to go back at all, to maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night, because at that point it was already past midnight and some gas bombs and cars under fire and stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous. Everything around our hotel, which is close to Arc de Triomphe. So, in the end we talked. We waited for a bit, and then we decided to go,” added Novak. To still stay focussed despite all this is typical calm from Novak.