FRENCH OPEN JOURNAL: Novak Djokovic reveals the secret device that makes him feel like Iron Man… and Iga Swiatek celebrates his 22nd birthday and second-round win with big thanks to Taylor Swift
- Novak Djokovic was seen with a button-like device on his chest
- Taylor Swift fan Iga Swiatek wrote on camera: ‘I feel 22 – #Swiftie’
- Ukrainians criticized Lacoste sponsors for continuing to do business in Russia
Defending champion Iga Swiatek and Wimbledon winner Elena Rybakina confirmed their titles on day five with back-to-back wins at Roland Garros.
World No 1 Swiatek, who turned 22 on Wednesday, struggled to find her rhythm in windy conditions against American Claire Liu, before tearing herself up to win 6-4, 6-0 .
Rybakina fought a Czech teenager for the second straight round, following her win over 16-year-old Brenda Fruhvirtova, beating 18-year-old Linda Noskova 6-3, 6-3.
Seventh-seeded Ons Jabeur has also looked strong so far, with the Tunisian beating Oceane Dodin 6-2, 6-3.
Here, Mail Sport’s LEWIS STEELE sums up some of the big stories from Paris.
Novak Djokovic was seen with a button-shaped device on his chest at Roland-Garros
Djokovic reveals his biggest secret
Novak Djokovic says he feels like Iron Man wearing “patented nanotechnology”, which claims to turn heat into light, supplied by an Italian company.
The 22-time Grand Slam winner was seen with a button-shaped device on his chest and said: “It’s the biggest secret of my career!”
“When I was a kid, I really liked Iron Man, so I tried to impersonate him.”
Lacoste “sheds crocodile tears”
A protest took place at Porte d’Auteuil as Ukrainians expressed their anger at tournament sponsor Lacoste for continuing to do business in Russia.
Signs read “stop doing business with (Vladimir) Putin” next to a photo of the president wearing Lacoste gear and holding a grenade the color of a tennis ball.
The Ukraine Solidarity Project told Mail Sport: “Lacoste is shedding crocodile tears for the people of Ukraine. They are bringing Roland Garros and tennis to shame.
A bad call brings a smile
A blunder on Court Philippe Chatrier as the DJ booth malfunctioned and a radio call from a member of staff to a colleague accidentally went out of the speaker system.
‘Hello Hello?’ they said. This made Swiatek and the referee laugh.
Swiatek’s cry to Swift
World number 1 Iga Swiatek is a fan of Taylor Swift and, after passing Claire Liu in the third round, wrote on camera (above), “I feel 22 – #Swiftie”, a nod to the Polish who turns 22 on Wednesday.
Swiatek then had a bizarre exchange with a reporter who made six Swift-related puns.
Her favorite album is Red and she says she is in her reputation era.
