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39-Year-Old Djokovic Saves Match Points, Reaches Roland-Garros Third Round

5/28/2026

26 2 Full Breakdown

Summary

Djokovic Advances

Novak Djokovic defeated Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3 on May 27, 2026 to reach the third round of Roland-Garros.
The 3-hour-44-minute match in heat above 32 °C saw Djokovic save three match points while serving for the match at 5-3 in the fourth set.
He became the fourth man to reach a Roland-Garros third round after turning 39.
Djokovic will face the winner of João Fonseca versus Dino Prizmic next.

Summary

Djokovic Booed

The Paris crowd repeatedly booed Novak Djokovic during his second-round match, prompting a sharp protest.
The chair umpire asked fans to respect both players as the noise escalated.
Djokovic demanded an apology after Valentin Royer celebrated a net-cord point and gave sarcastic applause.
Jim Courier joked that Royer had “poked the bear,” highlighting the match’s tension while Roland Garros maintained its alcohol ban in the stands.

History

Historical Context

Ken Rosewall, 39, was the oldest man in a Grand Slam final in 1974 (Wimbledon and US Open), highlighting veteran impact just as the Australian Open settled in Melbourne (1972) and changed from grass to hard courts in 1988. In 2026 Novak Djokovic survived three match points in 32 °C heat to reach Roland Garros’s third round, echoing the French Tennis Federation’s ongoing debates on veteran players.

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Djokovic Advances

Novak Djokovic defeated Valentin Royer 6-3, 6-2, 6-7(7), 6-3 on May 27, 2026 to reach the third round of Roland-Garros.
The 3-hour-44-minute match in heat above 32 °C saw Djokovic save three match points while serving for the match at 5-3 in the fourth set.
He became the fourth man to reach a Roland-Garros third round after turning 39.
Djokovic will face the winner of João Fonseca versus Dino Prizmic next.

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