Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

Novak Djokovic vs. Mackenzie McDonald Preview, Prediction and Betting Odds for the French Open 2025 Round 1

Djokovic begins his 2025 Roland Garros campaign with a first-time test against McDonald.

Mandatory Credit: Geoff Burke-Imagn Images

The GOAT, Novak Djokovic, is set to begin his French Open 2025 campaign with a first-round matchup against American Mackenzie McDonald, marking their first-ever meeting on tour. And let’s be honest: it’s no mystery who’s stepping in as the favorite.

McDonald, ranked as high as world No. 37 in his career, has never won a singles title on the ATP Tour. His lone ATP title came in doubles at the 2022 Japan Open alongside Marcelo Melo. At Roland Garros, his best singles result was a third-round appearance in 2022. Awaiting him is the 24-time Grand Slam champion, including three titles in Paris (2016, 2021, 2023).

Happy 38th birthday to Novak Djoković 🇷🇸 the best tennis player of all time. @DjokerNole pic.twitter.com/lzrBr0xm8a
— Based Serbia (@SerbiaBased) May 22, 2025

Djokovic is chasing yet another deep run on the clay he’s mastered while having faced the near-impossible task of sharing an era with Rafael Nadal, whose 14 Roland Garros titles are the stuff of legend.

Novak Djokovic vs. Mackenzie McDonald Preview

Djokovic, the last active member of the legendary Big Three, remains on a level few, if any, can touch. Now 38, the Serb opened his season with a quarterfinal in Brisbane, followed by a semifinal run at the Australian Open. His Melbourne campaign ended prematurely after he retired due to a leg injury, trailing Alexander Zverev by a set.

Djokovic bounced back in Miami, reaching the final before falling to rising Czech star Jakub Mensik in straight sets, both decided by tiebreaks. Djokovic holds a 12-7 record in 2025, backed by 149 aces, a 76% first-serve points won rate, and a 42% break point conversion, still elite by any standard.

Four-year-old Novak Djokovic receives his very first tennis racquet for his birthday.

38 years old today.

34 years later and he's a 24 time Grand Slam Champion. ❤

(via @telegrafrs) pic.twitter.com/ZCef4Ksk3l
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) May 22, 2025

In contrast, McDonald has struggled to find rhythm at the ATP level this season, with a 4-4 record and no main-draw appearances beyond the Round of 16. His best results have come on the Challenger circuit: a semifinal in Oeiras II and a runner-up finish in San Diego, where he was upset in three sets by Eliot Spizzirri.

Statistically, McDonald has managed just 27 aces, winning 64% of first-serve points and converting just over half of 38 break point chances. Decent numbers, but not enough to worry someone like Djokovic over five sets on clay.

Novak Djokovic vs. Mackenzie McDonald Head-to-Head Record

Novak Djokovic and Mackenzie McDonald do not have a head-to-head yet.

Novak Djokovic vs. Mackenzie McDonald Comparison

Novak Djokovic	Category	Mackenzie McDonald
6	Ranking	99
1136-229	Career W-L	109-129
12-7	YTD W-L	4-4
99	Career Titles	0
24	Grand Slams	0
0	YTD Titles	0

"I think I'm playing really, really good tennis" 😌

Novak Djokovic is happy to reach back-to-back semifinals in Switzerland.#GonetGenevaOpen pic.twitter.com/vmlbDbsfce
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) May 22, 2025

Novak Djokovic vs. Mackenzie McDonald Prediction

Even at 38, Djokovic’s experience, consistency, and big-stage presence far outweigh McDonald’s current form. To be brutally honest, unless the Serb’s fitness falters, this should be a straight-sets win.

Prediction: Novak Djokovic in straight sets

Also Read: What Surface Is The French Open Played On? Exploring The Rich History Of The Roland Garros Surface

Novak Djokovic vs. Mackenzie McDonald French Open 2025 Betting Odds

Here are the betting odds according to BetMGM:

Novak Djokovic: 1/100

Mackenzie McDonald: 17/1

Mackenzie McDonald

Novak Djokovic

Roland Garros 2025

Rudra Dubey

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I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.