Roland Garros 2025: A Stray Dog Melts Novak Djokovic’s Heart and Moves the Entire World

Paris, May 31, 2025 – As Roland Garros 2025 gets underway, an unexpected and deeply moving moment has stolen the spotlight from the sporting exploits on the clay courts. Novak Djokovic, the 38-year-old Serbian champion, had an extraordinary experience on the streets of Paris, a story that touched hearts and brought tears to the eyes of fans around the world. A stray dog, with touching persistence, followed the player through the French capital, and what happened next is nothing short of heartbreaking.

It all started a few days ago, on May 29, after Djokovic was spotted cycling near the Place de l’Étoile, a daring escapade that had already gone viral. But this time, the story is quite different. While walking along a small street in the 16th arrondissement, not far from Roland Garros, Djokovic noticed a small, thin, dusty stray dog ​​trotting behind him. The dog, a mutt with light brown fur and sad but hopeful eyes, seemed determined not to leave him. “It followed me for more than a kilometer,” Djokovic recounted at an emotional press conference, his voice trembling. “Every time I stopped, it sat and looked at me, as if begging me not to abandon it.”

The Serbian, known for his unwavering focus on the court, showed a softer side of his personality. After several minutes, he stopped, knelt down, and reached out to the animal. The dog, hesitant at first, slowly approached before snuggling up to him, resting its head on Djokovic’s lap. Passersby who witnessed the scene were deeply moved. Some filmed the moment, and the videos quickly made the rounds on social media, particularly on X, where fans shared their emotion. “I’m crying seeing this, Djokovic has a heart of gold!” wrote one user. Another added, “That dog knew exactly who to trust.”

But the story doesn’t end there. Djokovic, visibly upset, decided to take the dog under his wing. “I couldn’t leave him on the street,” he explained. With the help of his team, he took the animal to a local veterinarian for a complete examination. The dog, which he named “Paris” after the city where they met, suffered from malnutrition and minor infections, but was in good overall health. Djokovic then announced that he would officially adopt Paris, promising to give him a better life. “He chose me, and now he’s part of my family,” he said, his eyes shining with tears.

This story resonated far beyond tennis fans. At Roland Garros, where Djokovic had just qualified for the round of 16 after an intense match against Corentin Moutet, spectators applauded his gesture as he entered Court Philippe-Chatrier. A spontaneous standing ovation rang out, and many in the crowd had tears in their eyes. “Novak shows us what it means to be a champion, on and off the court,” commented one spectator. On X, the hashtag #DjokovicEtParis went viral, with thousands of messages celebrating this unexpected adoption.

The moment comes at a time when Djokovic is already emotionally charged. Having won his 100th title in Geneva just before Roland Garros, the Serbian seems filled with renewed energy, even at 38. But the Paris encounter revealed a humanity that transcends sport. “That dog reminded me of the importance of the little things,” he said. “Sometimes you get so caught up in the competition that you forget to look around you. Paris brought me back to the basics.”

As Djokovic continues his journey at Roland Garros 2025, he now does so with a new companion by his side. The image of this champion kneeling on a Parisian street, comforting a stray dog, will remain etched in our memories as a symbol of love and compassion. A beautiful life lesson from Novak Djokovic, proving once again that a big heart can make all the difference.