Novak Djokovic's quest to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam title at this year's French Open began with a routine victory over Mackenzie McDonald.

Having warmed up for Roland-Garros by winning his 100th ATP Tour-level title in Geneva on Saturday, Djokovic earned a composed 6-3 6-3 6-3 win in just under two hours.

The 38-year-old, who was forced to withdraw at the quarter-final stage at last year's French Open after sustaining a knee injury, was rarely troubled on serve in the opener and got the decisive break in game six.

American McDonald trailed 5-2 in the second before getting one break back, but Djokovic ruthlessly finished the set off with another immediate break of his own.

Another hard-earned break six games into the third set put Djokovic on course to seal victory, and he got over the line when McDonald struck the net off his first match point. 

"I try to enjoy every moment on this very special and beautiful court," Djokovic told the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier in French afterwards.

"I feel good, clearly, even more here because I'm reliving the memories of last year's Olympics, the last time I played on this court... beautiful emotions.

"It was a solid match. I know that he can play to a better standard than today, but I am very happy with what I produced."

Djokovic will face either Corentin Moutet or qualifier Clement Tabur in round two.

Last time Novak converted a match point on this court, he was awarded a gold medal afterwards, so emotions were high for Nole #RolandGarros pic.twitter.com/XewTWqw2sO

— Roland-Garros (@rolandgarros) May 27, 2025

Elsewhere at Roland-Garros, Jakub Mensik – Djokovic's conqueror in the Miami Open final two months ago – battled to a 7-5 6-7 (5-7) 7-5 6-3 win over Alexandre Muller.

And Grigor Dimitrov became the first player in the Open Era to lose men's singles matches via retirement at four consecutive grand slams, calling time on his meeting with Ethan Quinn having won two of the first three sets. 

Data Debrief: Twenty up for Djokovic 

Djokovic's victory maintained his record of never falling at the first hurdle at Roland-Garros – he is now 20-0 in first-round matches at the French Open.

He got the job done nice and early on Tuesday, and he has not even lost a set in a Paris opener since overcoming Evgeny Korolev in four 15 years ago.