Novak Djokovic embarks on his quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title at the French Open on Tuesday, while women’s contenders Coco Gauff and Mirra Andreeva begin their campaigns. The 38-year-old Djokovic faces 98th-ranked American Mackenzie McDonald, just three days after becoming the third man to win 100 ATP titles with his victory in Geneva. “Winning the 100th title is a significant milestone, crucial for my game and confidence heading into Roland Garros,” said Djokovic. “I needed to win matches, especially on this surface. I’m the type of player who needs to get some matches under his belt before big tournaments.” Three-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic is on the same side of the draw as world number one Jannik Sinner and last year’s runner-up Alexander Zverev. Seeded sixth, Djokovic returns to Paris for the first time since beating Carlos Alcaraz to win Olympic gold last August. “After the Geneva title, I feel more confident and positive about my level,” Djokovic added. “I still have many ambitions and high objectives.” World number three Zverev aims to go further than last year when he lost the final to Carlos Alcaraz in five sets, marking his third defeat in as many Grand Slam finals. His preparation has been less than ideal; he lost in the round of 16 in Hamburg and blamed illness for his performance. Zverev’s journey to Paris was delayed when his plane, also carrying other tennis players, was struck by lightning, forcing an emergency landing. Zverev faces US teenager Learner Tien, who defeated him in straight sets in Acapulco in February. Fifth seed Jack Draper, who won at Indian Wells and reached the Madrid final, plays Mattia Bellucci in the first round, while 11th seed Daniil Medvedev faces Cameron Norrie. Alex de Minaur, a quarter-finalist at the past four majors, meets Laslo Djere. Czech teenager and Miami champion Jakub Mensik faces home favourite Alexandre Muller. In the women’s draw, 2022 runner-up Gauff plays Australia’s Olivia Gadecki, who has just one Grand Slam main draw match win. Gauff, the 2023 US Open winner, hasn’t won a tournament since last year’s WTA Finals but reached the finals in both Madrid and Rome this month. “It gives me a lot of confidence, but I’m focusing on the next two weeks here,” Gauff said. The 21-year-old American has reached the quarter-finals or better in her past four visits to Roland Garros. Rising Russian star Andreeva seeks her first Grand Slam crown after winning WTA 1000 titles in Dubai and Indian Wells. She also won silver in doubles at last year’s Olympics, two months after reaching the Roland Garros semi-finals before losing to eventual runner-up Jasmine Paolini. Andreeva faces Spanish world number 98 Cristina Bucsa in the first round. “I’m super excited to be back. Practices are going well, and I can’t wait to start the tournament,” said sixth-seeded Andreeva. Ons Jabeur, a three-time Grand Slam runner-up, is also in action. The unseeded Tunisian, battling injury, meets Poland’s Magdalena French. Additionally, two-time former Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka plays Belgium’s Yanina Wickmayer, a surprising 2009 US Open semi-finalist who plans to retire after Wimbledon. (With inputs from AFP)