Novak Djokovic advanced to the third round of Roland Garros 2025 on 28 May with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(9), 6-3 victory over Frenchman Valentin Royer — but the Serbian's post-match remarks stole the headlines as he lashed out at the Parisian crowd for booing him throughout the contest.

What Djokovic Said

Tensions on Court Philippe-Chatrier boiled over mid-match when the chair umpire intervened, urging the crowd: 'Ladies and gentlemen, please have some respect for both of the players.' Djokovic shot back immediately, saying, 'They have no respect, no respect.'

In his post-match remarks, the 37-time Grand Slam finalist was unambiguous: 'I hope I won't play any more French players for the rest of the tournament,' he said, a statement that drew instant reaction across the tennis world. This was the second consecutive match in which Djokovic defeated a French opponent, having ousted Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round.

How the Match Unfolded

The opening two sets were vintage Djokovic — precise, methodical, and relentless. The three-time Roland Garros champion read Royer's patterns with clinical efficiency, building what appeared to be an unassailable lead. But the 24-year-old Frenchman refused to fold, unleashing a hooked forehand to level at 4-4 in the third set before forcing a tie-break.

With Djokovic holding match point at 6-5 in the tie-break, Royer again dug deep — bold hitting and sharp footwork kept the Serbian on the back foot until a Djokovic backhand sailed long, sending the crowd into a frenzy. Royer eventually took the third set, extending the match before Djokovic closed it out in the fourth.

'I'm relieved. Obviously, it feels different when you win the match. It's a very important victory in difficult conditions for both players. It was very hot and I think Valentin deserves big credit for his performance today,' Djokovic said. He added: 'It was a very tough match, a challenge right from the start. It's normal that things get tricky on court in these sort of conditions and atmosphere.'

Historic Milestones on Clay

The win sealed Djokovic's record 21st consecutive Roland Garros third-round appearance — an extraordinary run of consistency at a single Slam. More remarkably, the 39-year-old became the first man in history to play 120 matches at a single Grand Slam tournament, surpassing Roger Federer's Wimbledon record of 119. The victory also keeps alive his pursuit of a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

What's Next

Djokovic will next face Brazilian 28th seed Joao Fonseca, who came back from two sets down to defeat Croatian Dino Prizmic and book his place in the third round. The match promises to be a stern test, with Fonseca having shown remarkable resilience. Whether the Paris crowd will be a factor again remains to be seen.