Novak Djokovic put competition aside to help out Filip Misolic (Image: TNT Sports)
Novak Djokovic showed his class as he rushed over to help Filip Misolic when the Austrian qualifier hit the deck. Djokovic’s opponent took a tumble in the middle of a game at 2-3 in the second set and ended up absolutely covered in the clay from Court Philippe-Chatrier.
The three-time champion here was quick to step in as Misolic briefly stopped playing. They went to his bench, where Djokovic helped him clean up before they resumed the game.
Djokovic had already faced a break point in the second set when he created an opportunity of his own, though it came at a cost. Misolic slid too far on the clay and fell over as the No. 6 seed won the point, giving him a chance to break serve.
But the Serb’s immediate concern was Misolic, whose whole back was smeared in the orange dirt while his arms had also been covered. Djokovic raced to his aid and gave the 23-year-old a towel, also pouring water on his hands to get rid of the dust.
The 15,000 fans on Court Philippe-Chatrier were touched by Djokovic’s gesture and broke out into a loud round of applause. Misolic finally cleaned himself up and returned to the baseline to continue play, now facing a break point.
While he had been concerned for Misolic in the moment, Djokovic got straight back to work and won the next point to take the lead in set two.
Novak Djokovic came to Filip Misolic’s aid (Image: Getty)
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It’s wasn’t the first time the crowd had broken out into cheers and applause. Djokovic’s clash with the qualifier was scheduled in the 8.15pm night session slot – 45 minutes before kickoff in the Champions League final.
The spectators kept a close eye on the score in PSG vs Inter Milan and began wooping and cheering every time PSG scored a goal. The Parc des Princes is also metres away from Stade Roland Garros and fireworks went off whenever PSG put one in the net.
But neither Djokovic nor Misolic were bothered by the extra noise, with the Austrian having more trouble finding his footing on the centre court clay.
The 24-time Major winner had actually asked not to play during the game. “It’s going to be PSG that I will support. I will definitely watch it if I’m not playing night session. Yeah, that will be nice. FYI, Roland Garros schedule…” he said on Thursday.
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But tournament organisers didn’t listen to his pleas and he was given the night session on Saturday. Djokovic seemed to be racing through as fast as he could, hoping to catch the end of the UCL final – it took him 90 minutes to take a 6-3 6-4 lead.
And Djokovic went on to seal a straight-set victory just after the two-hour mark, taking the final set 6-2. He is set to face Cameron Norrie on Monday, after Norrie won an all-British battle with Jacob Fearnley out on Court Simonne-Mathieu earlier in the evening.
Both players really felt the effects of the PSG game, even hours before kickoff. There were constant fireworks, car horns and police sirens.
Afterwards, Norrie said: “The toughest part was managing the fireworks next door. I am looking forward to watching the game. It will be a good match and I hope that PSG win it.”
