French Open 2025: Novak Djokovic, Alexander Zverev stun crowd with ‘mesmerising’ 41-shot rally - 'Absolute nonsense tennis'
Published 05/06/2025 at 08:58 GMT+1
Novak Djokovic booked his place in the semi-finals of the French Open with a four-set win against Alexander Zverev at Roland-Garros. The moment of the match came in the final set, when the pair traded blows in a stunning 41-shot rally which left the crowd gasping and the TNT Sports punditry team exploding with superlatives. Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+.
Djokovic wins 'mesmerising' 41-shot rally to save break point in thrilling style
Video credit: TNT Sports
Novak Djokovic and Alexander Zverev were lauded for their gargantuan efforts after producing one of the moments of the French Open so far as they played out a thrilling 41-shot rally.
The pair were deep into the fourth set, having already been on Court Philippe-Chatrier for nearly three hours, when they tested each other to the physical limits with the longest point at Roland-Garros so far this year.
Djokovic and Zverev traded cross-court backhands in the early stages, before taking it in turns to be the aggressor in the point.
Zverev missed several golden opportunities to end the point with overhead smashes, before Djokovic eventually punished him with a superb passing cross-court forehand.
"Absolute nonsense tennis", exclaimed TNT Sports commentator Nick Mullins.
"Did any of us breathe in the middle of that? We've seen nothing better all tournament... A 41-shot rally. Each one seemingly increasingly mesmerising."
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Highlights: Djokovic beats Zverev in four sets to book semi-final spot
Video credit: TNT Sports
Reflecting on the remarkable passage of play, TNT Sports expert Jim Courier said: "It just shows you how mentally tough they are, to be able to concentrate and focus for this long and dig these shots out.
"You know by the end of this rally that their legs and lungs are burning, and they just keep pushing each other to the absolute brink.
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"Zverev had the upper hand so often in this rally and Novak’s defence getting it done and eventually the drop shots would come out again… and then rip the forehand winner."
Djokovic went on to win the match in four sets to set up a semi-final showdown with world No.1 Jannik Sinner.
Stream the 2025 French Open live and on-demand on discovery+
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