Djokovic Dominates: Historic 25th Grand Slam Win Sends Shockwaves Through Tennis

Novak Djokovic has thrust himself back into the spotlight at the French Open 2025, pushing toward a record-extending 25th Grand Slam trophy despite fresh injury worries and swirling controversy. Two days after dispatching Britain’s Cameron Norrie in straight sets to book a ticket to the quarter-finals — his 21st consecutive victory on Parisian clay — the Serbian superstar now stares down world No. 3 Alexander Zverev under the lights on Court Philippe-Chatrier. Djokovic’s run has been anything but routine. Mid-match against Norrie he required a medical timeout to treat a painful blister on his big left toe, an issue he later downplayed but conceded “isn’t ideal on clay”. The 38-year-old has battled through physical setbacks before—most memorably a torn hamstring en route to the 2023 Australian Open title—and insists his team “has a plan” to manage the latest flare-up. Even as he nurses the toe, Djokovic has been dragged into an unexpected disciplinary storm. Social media erupted when rival Alexander Bublik was defaulted for striking a ball toward a line judge in an earlier round, prompting comparisons to Djokovic’s own infamous 2020 US Open exit. Though he was uninvolved, the Serb’s name trended worldwide as pundits debated consistency in officiating. On court, however, the 24-time major winner looks locked in. Djokovic has yet to drop a set this fortnight, averaging 81 % success on first-serve points and converting 65 % of break-point chances—numbers that bode well against Zverev, who leads their 2025 head-to-head 2-1 but has historically struggled to close on the game’s biggest stages. Victory would set up a blockbuster semifinal with top seed Jannik Sinner and keep Djokovic’s calendar-year Grand Slam hopes alive. Key storyline headings fans are searching for: • Novak Djokovic injury update (toe blister) • French Open 2025 quarter-final schedule and start time • Live score: Djokovic vs Zverev Roland Garros • Grand Slam record race: Djokovic, Nadal, Federer • Djokovic news today—disqualification debate explained Match start time & how to watch: The quarter-final is slated for 8 p.m. local time (2 p.m. ET). U.S. coverage streams on Tennis Channel and Peacock; international viewers can follow via Roland-Garros TV and official tournament radio. What’s next: Should Djokovic prevail, he will contest his 14th Roland Garros semifinal on Friday. With rival Rafael Nadal absent this year, the draw has opened for the world No. 6 to seize an unprecedented fourth Musketeers’ Cup. “I came to Paris believing I can win, no matter the pain,” Djokovic told Serbian media. The tennis world will soon learn whether grit and experience can once again outduel youth and controversy on the sport’s grandest red stage.