When the Roland Garros draw was made, one first-round clash that quickly drew attention was three-time champion Novak Djokovic against home hope Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
The match will feature a fun clash of styles. One of the game’s biggest servers, Mpetshi Perricard, will stand across from one of the best returners of all time in Djokovic. Mpetshi Perricard, 22, is eager for Sunday night’s showdown on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
“It's going to be quite a fight,” Mpetshi Perricard said at his pre-tournament press conference. “It's quite impressive when you have such a major name as an opponent, but to play well and to win a tournament you have to win against the best.”
Mpetshi Perricard is playing his home Slam for the fourth time, a stark contrast from Djokovic, who is making his 22nd appearance in Paris. The Serbian has amassed a standout 101-17 tournament record while Mpetshi Perricard has not even played 100 tour-level matches in his young career.
The opening-round contest will mark Mpetshi Perricard’s first Lexus ATP Head2Head meeting with 24-time major champion Djokovic.
The Frenchman reached a career-high No. 29 in the PIF ATP Rankings last February and won two ATP Tour titles in 2024, in Lyon and Basel. That same season, he achieved his career-best major result by reaching the Wimbledon fourth round. His best result at Roland Garros is a second-round appearance (2025). In order to match that result, he will need to get past Djokovic, who is playing just his fourth tour-level event of the year.
Last month, Mpetshi Perricard announced a new addition to his coaching team. The Lyon native began working with former No. 4 Greg Rusedski alongside renowned ATP/WTA coach Philippe Dehaes.
Bothered by a right wrist injury at the beginning of the clay-court swing, Mpetshi Perricard is ready for the season’s second major.
“I feel good,” said Mpetshi Perricard, the No. 80 player in the PIF ATP Rankings. “Lately I had problems. My wrist was in a bit of a problematic shape for a month on clay, but now I'm better, and I'm ready. 100 per cent ready, so physically I feel good.”
Mpetshi Perricard will start his tournament seeking the biggest win of his career by PIF ATP Ranking.
“No matter what happens at the end of the match, it's going to bring a lot to my game,” said Mpetshi Perricard. “I'm very excited. I'm very happy that I have this opportunity.”
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