Novak Djokovic surprised fans in Paris as he biked around the French capital – and narrowly avoided a hairy encounter at the famously lethal Arc du Triomphe roundabout on Wednesday evening.
The four-time French Open champion has returned to Roland-Garros in improving form after a challenging season on clay saw him knocked out in the first rounds of the Monte-Carlo Masters and the Madrid Open.
Djokovic then plumped to bypass the Italian Open, and at the start of this month split with his coach – and former Big Four rival – Andy Murray, in a decision that both men have gone to lengths to stress was mutual.
Since calling time on his partnership with the three-time Grand Slam champion, Djokovic returned to the tour at the Geneva Open.
The 38-year-old made history with his defeat of Hubert Hurkacz in the Swiss final, claiming his 100th ATP title and becoming just the second man in the Open era to do so.
Tied with Margaret Court on 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic comes to Paris hungry to break her longstanding record on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Novak Djokovic was spotted cycling around the Arc du Triomphe during his day off in Paris
In between matches, however, Djokovic was content to take a tour of the city on a bicycle, and was spotted by tennis fans navigating the multi-lane roundabout that rings one of Paris’ most iconic landmarks.
‘Djoko, Djoko!’ Two fans driving on the roundabout screamed when they spotted Djokovic and a friend, slowing down and all-but blocking off the cyclists from turning.
‘I am very proud, because I love you,’ the driver told the Serbian serial champion.
‘Thank you, I love you too,’ Djokovic responded as he continues to pedal. ‘But I have to go right.’
Interaction recorded, Djokovic was allowed to pedal away and enjoy the rest of his day off.
The tennis icon booked his spot in the second round after a rote straight sets defeat of Mackenzie McDonald on Tuesday, and after his match opened up on Murray’s verdict on his results in the wake of their split.
‘He did congratulate me, and he said, “now that you have a proper coach, you’re winning tournaments”,’ Djokovic joked with the media.
‘Of course he was joking, but, I think I have said enough but I will say it again: Andy is just an amazing person.
Djokovic reunited with his former coach Andy Murray at the French Open’s tribute ceremony for Rafael Nadal on Sunday
The 38-year-old’s travails in Paris will continue on Thursday as he steps up to play a home star
‘For him to join my team and for us to give a shot to this player/coach relationship was really an incredible thing for tennis and for both of us. I was very privileged and honoured.
‘I was enjoying myself very much regardless of the fact that we haven’t had maybe the success we both wanted or people expected us to have.’
Djokovic now has a tougher psychological test on Thursday when he goes toe-to-toe with Corentin Moutet.
The Frenchman is guaranteed a raucous home crowd when the pair meet in the afternoon slot on Court Suzanne-Lenglen.
