'He wanted to send a message' - Mischa Zverev on fired-up Novak Djokovic threat at French Open 2022

Novak Djokovic «wanted to send a message» after a frustrating few months as he won his first-round match at the French Open. The world No. 1, who was fired up throughout the night match on Court Philippe Chatrier, opened the defence of his title with a straightforward 6-3 6-1 6-0 win over Yoshihito Nishioka.

Ad/> The two-time champion was far too good for the world No. 99 as he advanced in just two hours under the closed roof and lights with his emotions clear to see after a challenging year to date, having not been allowed to compete at the Australian Open. Roland-GarrosDjokovic criticises Wimbledon for 'wrong decision' over Russian and Belarusian ban12 HOURS AGO Indeed, his animated reactions featured several fist pumps and some full-throttle roars, some of which were booed by the crowd on Court Philippe Chatrier, something which shocked Eurosport's John McEnroe.

Djokovic will next face either Alex Molcan and Federico Coria with a potential quarter-final against Rafael Nadal looming in the second week, and Eurosport expert Mischa Zverev was struck by the mentality he showed on court — and the threat he represents to his rivals. «This is his first Grand Slam this year — he wanted to prove to everyone: I'm here, I won Rome, I'm playing well — and I'm going to win this,» Zverev told Eurosport Germany's 'Matchball' Show. «He wanted to send a message.» Zverev also said of Djokovic on Eurosport Germany's podcast 'Das Gelbe vom Ball': «In Monte Carlo, he really didn't play well and lost early.

Before the tournament he had practised with Sascha [Zverev], and he really looked slower than usual. His strokes were also not so well placed. »Normally, you don't see the top players on the venue when they have lost, but he was on the