Novak Djokovic recalls "quite tense" return from PSG's Champions League celebration

As Novak Djokovic was dispatching Filip Misolic Saturday night at Roland Garros, Paris Saint-Germain (PSG) was capturing its first-ever UEFA Champions League title—a distraction that was clear to Djokovic and everyone watching, when cheers in the stands emerged with each goal scored. PSG effectively bageled Inter Milan, 5-0.

The next night, Djokovic was among the crowd inside Parc des Princes—just a short walk from Roland Garros—to welcome the team home for a celebration that soon got out of hand on the streets of Paris. And by Monday afternoon, the iconic trophy briefly sat behind the 24-time major winner inside Court Philippe Chatrier at the start of his fourth-round meeting with Cameron Norrie.

Wild card Lois Boisson more than warmed up an electric crowd after stunning No. 3 seed Jessica Pegula to reach the quarterfinals. Minutes later, the FFT’s “special surprise” announced to spectators was revealed when Ousmane Dembélé—2024-25 Champions League Player of the Season—stepped out on the illustrious court to present PSG’s piece of hardware and led chants of “Ici c’est Paris!”

Speaking to press after rolling over Norrie in straight sets, Djokovic elaborated on the not-so-smooth evening that preceded his landmark 100th career Roland Garros victory by first thanking the chief of security for ensuring a safe journey back.

“People were quite tense here, I must say, for our return to the hotel. They were not suggesting us at one point to go back at all, to maybe find a place to sleep somewhere around here for a night, because at that point it was already past midnight and some gas bombs and cars under fire and stuff happening on the street that was really dangerous,” he shared.

“In the end we talked. We waited for a bit, and then we decided to go. Then it was fine. In the end we reached the hotel all good, but it was quite noisy with a lot of things happening outside of the hotel.”

Djokovic has won 21 consecutive matches at this venue, starting at 2023 Roland Garros and including his 2024 Paris Olympics gold-medal run—he withdrew ahead of his 2024 RG quarterfinal with Casper Ruud due to a right knee injury sustained in the prior round. A three-time winner at the clay-court major, Djokovic doesn’t envision the buzz surrounding PSGs breakthrough performance dying down around the city anytime soon.

“It's interesting in some way to look from your window what's happening. At some point it was getting out of hand, but it's understandable that people are so excited,” he said.

“First-time Champions League winners for this city. It's one of the most important cities in the world. So, yeah, they are all celebrating. They still go. It's going to be several days, I'm sure, of celebration.”

The 38-year-old looks to continue his winning ways against last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev on Wednesday. The German led Tallon Griekspoor 6-4, 3-0 before Dutchman retired with an abdominal issue.