Djokovic hails “gesture”
Djokovic lauded the tournament after noticing a small but significant detail on X (formerly known as Twitter). The world No. 1 replied to tennis journalist Gaspar Ribeiro Lanca, who shared a photo of a linesperson in a wheelchair on one of the outside courts.
“I might be late but it’s the first time I see a line judge in a wheelchair. Tennis definitely has many flaws, but there’s also a lot to be proud of,” he wrote. And Djokovic picked up on it, reposting the photo. “What a great gesture! Wonderful,” he replied, adding clapping emojis and tagging the French Open.
Jarry’s ball kid run-in
It wasn’t a good night for recent Rome finalist Nicolas Jarry at Roland Garros. The 16th seed crashed out in the opening round to Frenchman Corentin Moutet. And he was wiped out by a ball-kid that ran into him mid-match. The Chilean was knocked to the ground when the ballboy ran back into position. Jarry was trailing 2-6 1-5 when he was brought to the floor. He bounced back to win the next set but things got worse as he was bagelled in the final set.
Nishi’s back
Kei Nishikori played his first Grand Slam match since the 2021 US Open as he stepped out onto Court 6 to face Gabriel Diallo. The former world No. 4 has spent the best part of the last three years sidelined by injuries and the French Open marked his second tournament since July.
Nishikori raced into a two-set lead but the Canadian world No. 166 won the next two, forcing a decider. But the 2014 US Open finalist dug deep and sealed his first tour-level win in 10 months, coming through 7-5 7-6(3) 3-6 1-6 7-5.
All the (head) gear
Clay season means controversial line calls. Without hawkeye, the umpires do all the work themselves and run onto the court to check a ball mark in the clay. And everyone will be able to see their judgement now, as the umpires at the French Open were seen sporting head cameras on Sunday, with the feed used by broadcasters while the officials went over to judge calls. The tournament has yet to confirm whether the measure is in place to avoid arguments over ball marks but the innovation was used on Court Philippe-Chatrier during Caroline Garcia’s match.
Richie rolls back the years
Murray and Wawrinka weren’t the only veterans in action on day one. 37-year-old Richard Gasquet earned his first Grand Slam win since 2022 as he defeated Borna Coric in front of a packed Court Suzanne-Lenglen crowd. In his 21st appearance at his home tournament, he sealed a 7-6(5) 7-6(2) 6-4 win in classic Gasquet fashion, with a backhand winner.
“I don’t know if it’s the best moment in my career, but it’s a moment – you know, I’m 38. Almost 38. It’s a nice win, a very nice win,” he later said. “I don’t know if it’s one of the nicest ones, but it was a tough win. I’m not that young, so that’s what I want to live. I don’t know if I can live this again because the level is not easy for me. The players play well. They’re younger than I am. I managed to do this, and I’m satisfied I could today, and I like it.”
