Djokovic seeks record 25th Grand Slam as French Open begins

The first round of the French Open starts today (24 May), with Novak Djokovic beginning his hunt for a fourth crown and a record-extending 25th Grand Slam title when he takes on home hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while world number three Alexander Zverev faces Benjamin Bonzi.

The ​claycourt Grand Slam starts under a shadow, with some players deciding to restrict their appearances at Friday's and Saturday's traditional pre-tournament ‌media days amid growing tensions over prize money and player influence.

Top men's match: Djokovic v Mpetshi Perricard

Djokovic has played just one match since Indian Wells in March and the 39-year-old will need to quickly shake off any rust when he meets Mpetshi Perricard for the first time in his career in his opening match.

The Serbian has ​spent the last two years trying to capture a 25th major crown that would move him past Margaret Court to take ​sole possession of the all-time record, but that quest looks in danger of being prolonged.

"I wanted to play more ⁠but my body was not allowing me. I was going through rehabilitation process for my injury," Djokovic told reporters.

"If I'm able to somehow maintain ​a level of freshness and progress... then I feel like I have always a very good chance. I have proven that in Australia this ​year where I was close to winning another Slam. I always have that belief in me when I'm on the court."

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: ANDREEVA V FERRO

Russian Mirra Andreeva has had a strong clay season, winning the Linz Open and reaching her first WTA 1000 final at the Madrid Open, while also making it to the semi-finals ​in Stuttgart and quarter-finals in Rome.

The 19-year-old begins against world number 200 Fiona Ferro of France, and should face little trouble if she can ​prevent the home fans from affecting her like they did in her quarter-final defeat to Lois Boisson at last year's tournament.

"Obviously the crowd is going to support ‌her (Ferro) as ⁠much as they can, and that's totally okay," Andreeva said.

"I have some experience even from last year when I played quarters, so I pretty much know what to expect... We will see how it's going to go, but I hope they're not going to be too hard on me."

Can Zverev join the Grand Slam Club?

Zverev has been on the verge of a maiden Grand Slam title at many points over his career, reaching three finals ​and falling just short, and if ​the German is to finally ⁠accomplish the feat the French Open looks to be his best bet.

The 29-year-old reached the final in Paris in 2024 and has made it to at least the quarter-final stage in seven of the past eight editions, ​putting him among the favourites this year, especially in the absence of injured world number two Carlos Alcaraz.

Zverev ​begins his campaign against ⁠Bonzi, who could prove a tricky customer however, with the Frenchman being one of only three players to have taken a set off world number one Jannik Sinner during the Italian's incredible 29-match winning streak.

FRENCH OPEN ORDER OF PLAY ON SUNDAY (prefix number denotes seeding):

COURT PHILIPPE CHATRIER (play begins at 1000 GMT)

Sinja Kraus (Austria) ⁠v 11-Belinda Bencic (Switzerland)

Benjamin ​Bonzi (France) v 2-Alexander Zverev (Germany)

8-Mirra Andreeva (Russia) v Fiona Ferro (France)

Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (France) v 3-Novak Djokovic (Serbia)

COURT SUZANNE ​LENGLEN (play begins at 0900 GMT)

13-Karen Khachanov (Russia) v Arthur Gea (France)

26-Hailey Baptiste (United States) v Barbora Krejcikova (Czech Republic)

7-Taylor Fritz (US) v Nishesh Basavareddy (US)

Ksenia Efremova (France) v 18-Sorana Cirstea (Romania)

COURT SIMONNE MATHIEU (play begins at 0900 GMT)

15-Marta Kostyuk (Ukraine) ​v Oksana Selekhmeteva (Russia)

Katie Volynets (US) v Clara Burel (France)

Titouan Droguet (France) v 26-Jakub Mensik (Czech Republic)

28-Joao Fonseca (Brazil) v Luka Pavlovic (France)