Angry Novak Djokovic survives Francisco Cerundolo scare at 2024 French Open after fifth-set tumble on slippery clay
Top-seeded Novak Djokovic survived a legitimate scare — and a slippery tumble in the fifth set that sparked his agitation — to ensure his bid for an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title will continue at the French Open.
For the second straight match, Djokovic stormed back to capture the final two sets on Monday to snatch a five-set victory — 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 victory over 23rd-seeded Francisco Cerundolo — in the fourth round at Roland Garros.
Djokovic, who will face No. 7 Casper Ruud in the quarterfinals, lost his footing several times and took an awkward fall to the clay court on one point during the fourth game of the final set.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow — or after tomorrow, if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play,” the 37-year-old Djokovic said. “You know, I hope so. Let’s see what happens.”
The Serbian superstar angrily yelled sarcastically at officials, “Great job by you guys. You know better than us. It’s not slippery at all, not dangerous at all! Well done, supervisor and everyone. Grounds staff, well done.”
The 37-year-old Djokovic had won three of the four majors in 2023 — all but Wimbledon, losing in the finals to Carlos Alcaraz — to surpass Roger Federer’s previous men’s record of 22 Grand Slam victories.
But he lost to Italy’s Jannik Sinner in the semifinals of the Australian Open earlier this year.
Djokovic also broke the record he shared with Federer by advancing to his 59th career Grand Slam quarterfinal.
