Novak Djokovic Eyes History, To Go Past Federer-Lopez To Become...

Last Updated:May 21, 2026, 22:05 IST

Novak Djokovic targets a record 82nd Grand Slam appearance and a new Slam title at the French Open, battling age.

24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic will notch his 82nd appearance at a Major when he takes on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round of the French Open on Sunday, May 24, as he will go past arch-rival Roger Federer and 2016 French Open doubles champion Feliciano Lopez.

Second seed Alexander Zverev could await Djokovic in the semi-finals at the French Open, with the Serb all set to turn 39 on Friday. The former has faced Djokovic twice before at Roland Garros, losing both quarter-final encounters in 2019 and last year.

Djokovic is hoping to break out of his tie with Margaret Court on 24 Slam titles with a first major win since the 2023 US Open.

Most appearances in Grand Slams in men’s singles

Novak Djokovic: 82*

Roger Federer: 81

Feliciano Lopez: 81

Stan Wawrinka: 76

Richard Gasquet: 75

While his schedule has become more selective and his approach more pragmatic, Djokovic admitted he would have preferred to spend more time competing on clay before arriving in Paris for the French Open.

Djokovic has played in just three tournaments in 2026 and lost his only match on clay to Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic at this month’s Italian Open.

Djokovic pulled out of tournaments in Miami, Monte Carlo and Madrid while dealing with a shoulder injury, with strapping visible during his brief stay in Rome.

“It isn’t an ideal preparation, to be honest. I don’t recall the last time I had a preparation in the last couple of years, a preparation where I did not have any kind of physical issues or health issues coming into the tournament," Djokovic said.

“There is always something. Kind of a new reality that I have to deal with," Djokovic added.

It was a candid admission from Djokovic, a player who has long built his career around meticulous preparation and brilliant physical durability, but is now coming to terms with the realities of an ageing body.

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