2024 French Open Day 3: Djokovic Returns With Ruud, Sabalenka, Rybakina Tuesday

The first round wraps up with another blockbuster day at the French Open. A total of 40 matches are on court led by Novak Djokovic who returns to action in the evening to take on veteran Frenchman Pierre-Hugues Herbert.

Djokovic enters the French Open without a title on the season. And with his lackluster results — by Djokovic standards — the Serb isn’t talking about winning a fourth French title. Not yet.

“Low expectations and high hopes,” Djokovic told the press Sunday at Roland Garros.

“I almost feel a bit embarrassed to say what my expectations are. Anything but a title for me is not satisfactory, so it always has been like that. I know it might sound arrogant to a lot of people, but I think I have the career that backs it up.

“In a way, me playing still at this highest level, one of the major reasons is trying to write more history of the sport and win the biggest titles. Paris is definitely one of them.

“So that’s why my hopes and goals are always the same, but I have to lower the expectations. When I say that I mean, maybe not thinking too much ahead in advance in terms of the tournament and who I might face in the later rounds, but really taking it day by day, step by step, and really building my game. Because that’s what I have really been struggling with, not really playing in a consistently good level.”

Only the line this event is a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title.

Djokovic’s opponent in the final last year, Casper Ruud, is also in action as are Holger Rune and American No. 1 Taylor Fritz who has had a great clay season.

The women will see big hitters Aryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina open play. Sabalenka faces the elder Andreeva sister, Erika.

“Of course now I’m feeling much better, and it’s always pity to miss these big tournaments. But if the health issues are there, then you cannot do anything,” Rybakina said.

Australian Open finalist Qinwen Zheng takes on the retiring French veteran Alize Cornet.

FRENCH OPEN TUESDAY SCHEDULE – May 28
Court Philippe-CHATRIER – Start At 12:00
Qinwen ZHENG (CHN) [7] vs. Alizé CORNET (FRA)
Felipe MELIGENI ALVES (BRA) vs. Casper RUUD (NOR) [7]
Erika ANDREEVA (—) vs. Aryna SABALENKA (—) [2]

Not before 20:15
Novak DJOKOVIC (SRB) [1] vs. Pierre-Hugues HERBERT (FRA)

Court Suzanne-LENGLEN – Start At 11:00
Greet MINNEN (BEL) vs. Elena RYBAKINA (KAZ) [4]
Tomas Martin ETCHEVERRY (ARG) [28] vs. Arthur CAZAUX (FRA)
Magdalena FRECH (POL) vs. Daria KASATKINA (—) [10]
Daniel EVANS (GBR) vs. Holger RUNE (DEN) [13]

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