Djokovic stairwell – Novak Djokovic celebrated his first-round win at Roland-Garros by dancing in a stairwell after defeating Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets, then issued a playful challenge to Aryna Sabalenka ahead of her 2026 French Open opener.
Novak Djokovic didn’t just win his first match at Roland-Garros — he made sure everyone saw it.
The third-seeded tennis legend moved past France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in four sets in the French Open’s first round, and his reaction carried the unmistakable joy of a player feeling things click again. He did a shimmy and a sashay to celebrate, then kept going.
After the victory, the official Roland-Garros account on X posted a video of Djokovic dancing in a stairwell. In the clip, Djokovic says, “Check this out,” then adds, “Woo! Woo! You can’t beat that, Aryna. I challenge you.”
Djokovic’s challenge was aimed at Aryna Sabalenka, his close friend and the No. 1-ranked women’s tennis player in the world. Sabalenka has yet to respond to his dance-off — but her TikTok activity “never disappoints. ” and it’s likely only a matter of time before she answers with something of her own.
The timing also matters. Sabalenka is slated to open her 2026 French Open run against unranked Spaniard Jessica Bouzas Maneiro on Tuesday. The women’s favorite arrives with a strong record on hard courts. having won the Australian Open and US Open twice apiece. while she has yet to capture a French Open or Wimbledon title. Last year, she reached the final and lost to Coco Gauff.
Djokovic’s own Roland-Garros path has been steadier at this venue. He has three career victories at the French Open. with his most recent coming in 2023 when he beat Casper Ruud in three sets. This year. after his four-set win over Perricard. he is set for a second-round match against Frenchman Valentin Royer on Wednesday.
One other story line hangs in the background as Djokovic turns celebration into momentum: relief that he won’t face Carlos Alcaraz in Paris this year. Alcaraz, the two-time defending French Open champion, is recovering from a wrist injury. He defeated Djokovic to win the 2026 Australian Open on Feb. 1, and he previously beat Djokovic to win Wimbledon in 2023 and 2024.
At Roland-Garros, Djokovic is still finding ways to make a first-round win feel like something more than a routine advance. A victory, a stairwell dance, and a challenge tossed toward Sabalenka — all before the next match even arrives.
Novak Djokovic Roland-Garros French Open Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard Aryna Sabalenka Jessica Bouzas Maneiro Carlos Alcaraz Coco Gauff Valentin Royer