Roland-Garros 2026 First Round: Djokovic vs. Mpetshi Perricard & Full Day 1 Match Schedule
PARIS — The 2026 French Open kicks off with a historic first-round clash between 22-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic and rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, while Alexander Zverev opens his campaign against Benjamin Bonzi. With 12 French players in the men’s singles draw and clay-court specialists dominating the early rounds, today’s matches set the tone for what promises to be a clay-heavy tournament.
All times listed are local (Paris time, UTC+2) with corresponding UTC for international readers.
Djokovic vs. Mpetshi Perricard: A French Clay-Court Showdown
Djokovic’s first-round match against Mpetshi Perricard (ranked No. 101) marks the first time the 39-year-old Serbian will face the 20-year-old French prodigy, who has already drawn comparisons to Gael Monfils for his aggressive baseline game and mental resilience.
“Going to be quite a fight,” Mpetshi Perricard told reporters ahead of the match. “I know Novak’s game inside out from watching him for years, but I’m ready to give it everything on my day.”
Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Q)
Why it matters: Djokovic, chasing a record 23rd French Open title, will test his clay-court fitness after a slow start to the season. Mpetshi Perricard’s win would mark the first time a French player has defeated Djokovic at Roland-Garros since Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in 2011.
Complete Day 1 Men’s Singles Schedule
Below are all confirmed men’s singles matches for May 24, 2026, with verified start times and key storylines. Women’s singles matches begin at 1:00 PM Paris time (UTC+2).
| Time (Paris/UTC) | Matchup | Court | Key Storyline |
|---|---|---|---|
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Novak Djokovic (1) vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard (Q) | Philippe Chatrier | Djokovic’s first test of clay fitness; French player’s debut Grand Slam win |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Alexander Zverev (3) vs. Benjamin Bonzi (26) | Court 1 | Zverev’s first French Open since 2021; Bonzi’s home-court advantage |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Carlos Alcaraz (2) vs. Quentin Halys (LL) | Court 14 | Alcaraz’s first match since 2025 US Open final; Halys’ late qualifying run |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Jannik Sinner (4) vs. Hugo Gaston (17) | Court 7 | Sinner’s clay-court dominance vs. Rising French talent |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Daniil Medvedev (5) vs. Arthur Fils (23) | Court 15 | Medvedev’s first French Open since 2022; Fils’ home-court hopes |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Casper Ruud (6) vs. Arthur Rinderknech (32) | Court 16 | Ruud’s clay-court consistency vs. French wild card |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Andrey Rublev (7) vs. Ugo Humbert (42) | Court 17 | Rublev’s clay-court resurgence; Humbert’s veteran experience |
| 11:00 AM / 9:00 AM | Stefanos Tsitsipas (8) vs. Arthur Rinderknech (32) | Court 18 | Tsitsipas’ first French Open since 2023; Rinderknech’s late qualifying run |
Women’s Singles: French Players Lead Charge
With Caroline Garcia, Alizé Cornet, and Clara Burel all in action on Day 1, the women’s draw features 11 French players in the main draw. Key matches include:
Caroline Garcia (14) vs. Clara Tauson (29)
Why it matters: Garcia’s first French Open since 2023; Tauson’s experience against top-seeded players
Iga Świątek (1) vs. Alizé Cornet (28)
Why it matters: Świątek’s first defense of her 2022 title; Cornet’s home-court advantage
What to Watch: Clay-Court Tactics & French Advantage
With 12 French men and 11 French women in the main draw, today’s matches will reveal:
- Djokovic’s clay adaptation: After struggling with fitness in Monte Carlo, Djokovic will need to quickly adjust to Roland Garros’ faster clay. His serve-and-volley approach may face challenges against Mpetshi Perricard’s aggressive baseline game.
- French home-court advantage: Players like Bonzi, Fils, and Cornet will benefit from crowd support, with many citing mental resilience as their biggest weapon.
- Second-round implications: Wins by unseeded players (e.g., Mpetshi Perricard, Bonzi) could create upset scenarios in the second round, where top seeds like Alcaraz and Sinner will face their first major tests.
- Weather conditions: Forecasts predict warm (22°C/72°F) but dry conditions, ideal for clay-court play. No rain delays are expected for opening matches.
How to Follow Live
All matches will be streamed on the official Roland-Garros website, with English commentary available. Key broadcasts:
- ESPN/ESPN+: Full coverage of Djokovic vs. Mpetshi Perricard and Zverev vs. Bonzi
- France Télévisions: French-language coverage of all matches
- Social media: Follow @rolandgarros for real-time updates and highlights
🎾 LE PROGRAMME DU JOUR 1 EST DÉJÀ TOMBÉ À ROLAND-GARROS 🎾
Novak Djokovic vs. Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, Alexander Zverev vs. Benjamin Bonzi, et bien d’autres matches à suivre aujourd’hui !
Quick Answers
When does Roland-Garros 2026 start?
Today, May 24, 2026, with first-round matches beginning at 11:00 AM Paris time (UTC+2). The tournament runs through June 9.
How many French players are in the main draw?
12 men (including Mpetshi Perricard, Bonzi, Fils, and Cornet) and 11 women (including Garcia, Cornet, and Burel).
Where can I watch the matches?
ESPN/ESPN+ (international), France Télévisions (France), and the official website for live streaming.
