PARIS — Novak Djokovic placed ice packs around his neck and on top of his head during changeovers Wednesday at the French Open, where the 39-year-old Serbian star did his best to keep cool amid the heat wave that has gripped Paris as the year’s second major championship tournament for tennis navigates a tough first week.
The 24-time Grand Slam was pushed by French player Valentin Royer — who is 15 years younger than him and ranked 74th in singles on the ATP Tour — for more than 3 1/2 hours before he reached the third round with a 6-3, 6-2, 6-7 (7), 6-3 victory.
For the fourth straight day of this year’s tournament at Roland Garros, the temperature rose above 90 degrees Fahrenheit.
“When you play a 3 1/2-hour match on clay, it’s long and very exhausting,” Djokovic said. “These days have been really, really very challenging for a lot of players.”
When Djokovic won a key point early in the fourth set with a forehand that he whipped around the net post from far off the court, the three-time French Open champion waved his arms toward the crowd inside Court Philippe-Chatrier.