Novak Djokovic has expressed that his relationship with Andy Murray remains strong and close, even after they decided to end their coaching partnership earlier this month. The two former rivals and longtime colleagues reunited in a heartfelt moment during Rafael Nadal’s emotional retirement ceremony in Paris, marking their first meeting since the split.
In the whirlwind days surrounding the French Open, Djokovic celebrated a significant milestone by winning his 100th ATP title at the Geneva Open on Saturday. The following day, he shared the stage at Court Philippe-Chatrier with Murray and Roger Federer, honoring Nadal’s remarkable career. Despite the intense schedule, Djokovic took time at his pre-tournament press conference in Paris to reflect on his coaching experience with Murray, emphasizing that their decision to part ways was a mutual and amicable one.
During the press conference, Djokovic revealed a lighthearted exchange with Murray, who congratulated him on his Geneva victory by joking that now that Djokovic had “a proper coach,” he was winning tournaments. Djokovic laughed at the remark but did not take it entirely as a joke. He took the opportunity to praise Murray as an “amazing person,” highlighting the depth of their shared history. From their early days competing in under-12 tournaments to their extensive professional careers, the two have long been connected by more than just rivalry.
Djokovic expressed gratitude for the unique opportunity to work closely with Murray as player and coach, calling it an “incredible thing for tennis and for both of us.” He added that their professional partnership over the past four to five months had actually brought them closer, strengthening their bond beyond what it had been previously.
As Djokovic prepared for his opening match against Mackenzie McDonald at the French Open, other top players were also making their mark. Carlos Alcaraz, the tournament’s second seed and defending champion, showed impressive form with a straight-sets victory over Italy’s Giulio Zeppieri. Alcaraz described himself as pleasantly surprised by his level of play as he cruised through the first round.
Later in the day, the top seed, Jannik Sinner, secured a win against home favorite Arthur Rinderknech in a tense match played before a passionate crowd on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Sinner’s victory extended his grand slam match winning streak to 15, following his recent triumphs at the US Open and Australian Open.
Sinner’s second-round opponent will be Richard Gasquet, a seasoned French veteran and former world number seven who is competing in his final tournament. Gasquet, who has been a mainstay in professional tennis for over two decades, advanced after defeating fellow French wildcard Terence Atmane in four sets.
Meanwhile, the men’s draw saw a major upset as fourth seed Taylor Fritz was eliminated by Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. Fritz, struggling through a difficult clay court season affected by injuries, lost in four sets, marking an early exit for one of the tournament’s higher-ranked players.
On the women’s side, Naomi Osaka faced a challenging moment. After losing a tight three-set match to tenth seed Paula Badosa, Osaka struggled emotionally during her post-match press conference. Since returning to professional tennis following the birth of her daughter earlier this year, Osaka has faced difficulty regaining her previous dominant form. Though she made it to the third round of a grand slam once this year, she had to retire due to injury. Expressing frustration, she acknowledged her own high expectations and the pressure of disappointing fans and her team.
Other notable results included twelfth seed Elena Rybakina advancing to the second round after a hard-fought victory over Julia Riera. However, the ninth seed Emma Navarro suffered a shock defeat, being overwhelmed in a one-sided match by Spain’s Jessica Bouzas Maneiro.
As the tournament progresses, the atmosphere remains charged with anticipation and emotion, with veteran champions and rising stars all vying to leave their mark at Roland Garros. Djokovic’s evolving relationship with Murray, alongside Nadal’s farewell and the ongoing battles on the court, continues to capture the attention of tennis fans worldwide.
