Mpetshi-Perricard reveals what has amazed him about Djokovic's tennis

Diego Jiménez Rubio | 25 May 2026 | 00.44

Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard Speaks About Djokovic at Roland Garros 2026. Photo: Getty Images

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Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard said goodbye to Roland Garros 2026 after an intense battle against Novak Djokovic, although the young French player left Philippe-Chatrier feeling that he had shown his tennis can compete for many moments against the best in the world.

In the post-match press conference, Giovanni Mpetshi-Perricard analyzed with great insight everything that transpired against Novak Djokovic, spoke about the cramps that affected the final stretch of the duel, and acknowledged that he still has a lot of room for improvement, especially in his backhand. The Frenchman also explained why he is not satisfied just with having competed well against a tennis legend and made it clear that his ambition reaches far beyond winning isolated sets.

This is what Mpetshi-Perricard felt facing Djokovic at Roland Garros 2026

The positives of competing against Djokovic

"There were many positive things. The first two sets were a real battle, and it was very interesting to note that my serve continues to be a huge weapon even against someone like Djokovic, who is probably one of the best returners in the history of the sport."

"It is also very good to see that I still have many things to improve because that means I still have a lot of room for progress."

Why he is not content with putting up a fight

"There isn't much to be especially proud of because in the end, I was in the battle during the first two sets and then I had a slump that greatly affected me in the last two sets."

"It's true that I managed to make things uncomfortable for him, cause damage with my forehand, play very precisely, and come to the net well. My offensive tennis works against practically anyone, but that doesn't mean I will be satisfied simply because it worked at times against Novak."

"The goal is never to be content for having won a set or for having been close during part of the match. The important thing is to win, and that's why I also feel quite disappointed."

The cramps that hindered his chances

"It wasn't a serious injury, just cramps. The issue was that they took quite a while to disappear, and against a player like that, when you can't grip the racket well or serve normally, everything becomes extremely challenging."

The challenge of playing against Djokovic

"I felt very good with my serve because I was very precise, and that was more important than the speed. Against players like him, you need to find exactly the right spot and the right speed because if you miss half a meter or a meter, you immediately face a winning return."

"There were moments when I served at 230 or 240 kilometers per hour, and still, he returned the ball lightning fast at my feet before I had even finished my follow-through."

"I was also very surprised by how prepared he was even for my first serve. Honestly, I didn't expect him to be so on top of it from the start of the point. But well, he is Djokovic. I've been watching him on TV for fifteen years, and he does many things very well."

The mental strength he displayed during the match

"Mentally, I never faltered after the second set. When you play against a player like him, you know perfectly well that set endings can go either way."

"Of course, I would have liked to reach the tie-break or even 5-5 to be even more aggressive and create break opportunities. But I was prepared for a long, tough, and complicated match. I came ready for all possible scenarios and totally willing to continue fighting in the third set."

The work he continues to do on his backhand

"The backhand is a shot where I can still progress a lot because clearly, it is not one of my strengths. But let's not forget that my backhand serves my forehand. When I hit one or two backhands, it's usually to open up the court and then attack with the forehand."

"Djokovic's plan was very clear: constantly move me or heavily target my backhand. Still, I believe that in many moments, I responded quite well playing deep and with height from that side. It's something we've been working on for a long time and where I can still improve a lot."

Despite falling to Novak Djokovic at Roland Garros 2026, Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard once again showed that he possesses one of the most explosive and dangerous tennis games of the new generation. The Frenchman made it clear in Paris that, although he still lacks experience and consistency, he already has the necessary tools to compete head-to-head even against the greatest legends of the circuit.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Mpetshi-Perricard desvela lo que le ha asombrado del tenis de Djokovic