Dad Djokovic dismisses Swiss

Novak Djokovic would do well to remember each career milestone from a lengthy list of firsts.

But there are a couple that would stand tall if accomplished at Roland-Garros this year, none more significant – as far as tennis annals are concerned – than becoming the first man in the Open Era to win all four majors twice.

The world No.1’s succinct outing on Court Suzanne-Lenglen on Thursday, however, would surely rate among the highlights from Paris in 2019.

Djokovic’s 6-1, 6-4, 6-3 second-round dismissal of Swiss lucky loser Henri Laaksonen was short, sharp and sweet.

And it had to be to ensure his No.1 fan would see out this one.

“It's a very special day for me as it’s the first time in my life that I have played in front of my son [Stefan],” Djokovic said. “He showed incredible patience to sit there for an hour and a half. Usually, he’s not that patient with tennis."

A grinning Stefan had waved to his father from the player’s box during the trophy presentation on Wimbledon’s Centre Court last July. But Djokovic Jr was not allowed to watch that final due to the All England Club’s ban on children under five attending matches.

On Thursday, however, perched up next to Mum, Jelena, he had plenty of reason to applaud his approval.

Dad was putting in another polished performance, this time against the Finish-born world No.104 who had received the main draw call-up following American Sam Querrey’s withdrawal.

Laaksonen had taken advantage of his good fortune to post just his second Grand Slam main draw win over Spanish qualifier Pedro Martinez. But the top seed proved a sizeable step up in standard.

“That's why he’s so good,” Laaksonen said. “He doesn’t give anything for free and you have to earn every single point. How I started it, it didn’t work. I changed something. It was working better, but it wasn’t enough. You know, he’s too good for me.”

This was a far cry from the Djokovic of 12 months ago, when he arrived in Paris on the steady road back from elbow surgery.

Struggling for confidence and having slumped to world No.22, he fell to then world No.72 Marco Cecchinato in a quarter-final boilover, which had him voicing doubts as to whether he would even contest the grasscourt swing.

How fortunate that he reneged on those rash contemplations.

The Serb has gone on to lift the trophy at the subsequent three majors and stands just five match wins shy of another historic first in Paris.

“It’s still early in the tournament, but I do have high ambitions for this tournament,” Djokovic said. “Grand Slams are the tournaments where I want to play my best, and hopefully get a chance to fight for the title.

“I have played finals on several different occasions in Paris, Roland-Garros, and had that memorable title in 2016. Since then a lot has happened.”

A 13th appearance in the fourth round at Roland-Garros beckons. Italian qualifier Salvatore Caruso, ranked No.147, has the hefty task ahead after his 6-1, 6-2, 6-4 defeat of French 26th seed Gilles Simon.

“I think everything started to really function well from Wimbledon last year,” Djokovic said. “That was a huge springboard and confidence boost for what was coming up. You know, winning slams is quite a different feeling from anything else.”

Young Stefan might be cheering from the player’s box more frequently this fortnight if Dad can sustain this level of efficiency.