Novak Djokovic takes on Pierre Hugues Herbert at the French Open. Our French Open odds series has our Djokovic Herbert prediction and pick. Find out how to watch Djokovic Herbert.

The 2024 French Open contains a lot of fresh storylines. One is that Novak Djokovic is not the heavy or overwhelming favorite. With Rafael Nadal likely to retire later this year, Djokovic entered 2024 as a man who probably expected to be the obvious favorite heading into Paris. Yet, that's not the case. Djokovic just turned 37, and though his fitness and durability are legendary, his body has started asking questions he hasn't been able to answer. Is this a permanent decline or a temporary disruption? We don't know, but Djokovic looks far from the man who won three major championships last year. Could he regain form in France? It's possible. Yet, it's not likely right now, for a few reasons.

One thing which has to be said up front is that Djokovic got hit by a bottle in Rome at that ATP Tour stop earlier in May. The incident was an accident, not intentional, but it nevertheless disrupted Djokovic's tournament. Were there any concussive aftereffects? Regardless of where the truth actually lies, Djokovic has simply not displayed the form of the all-time major championship leader. It's not the same. One is reminded of the 2017 Roland Garros tournament in which Djokovic went through a physically difficult and perplexing time. He wasn't his normal self then. Now he's facing the added burden of old age — in sports terms, at any rate — and the climb could be too much for him.

Djokovic's readiness for Roland Garros was questioned a week ago, so much so that he needed match play and went to Geneva for a 250-point ATP tournament. He couldn't win it. He lost to Tomas Machac, 6-1 in the third set of the semifinals. He did get some match play, but he still doesn't look like a 24-time major champion. Everyone is watching to see if Djokovic can play his way into form in the first week of the tournament so that he can make a run at the title in the second week in Paris.

Here are the Novak Djokovic-Pierre Hugues Herbert French Open odds, courtesy of FanDuel. 

French Open Odds: Novak Djokovic-Pierre Hugues Herbert Odds

Game spread

Djokovic -9.5: -118
Herbert +9.5: -112

Money line

Djokovic: -8000
Herbert: +2200

To win first set

Djokovic: -1200
Herbert: +680

Total Games In Match

Over 27.5: -120
Under 27.5: -110

Djokovic over 18.5 games: -110
Djokovic under 18.5 games: -120

Herbert over 9.5 games: -110
Herbert under 9.5 games: -122

How To Watch Novak Djokovic vs Pierre Hugues Herbert

TV: Tennis Channel

Stream: Tennis Channel Plus

Time: 2 p.m. ET / 11 a.m. PT (could start at 2:30/11:30 if previous matches run long)

*Watch Novak Djokovic-Pierre Hugues Herbert LIVE on fuboTV (click for a free trial)*

Why Novak Djokovic Could Cover The Spread

The spread of 9.5 games for this match means that Djokovic needs to win each set by an average of more than three games. Can he win this match 6-3, 6-3, 6-2 or better? That would enable him to cover the spread, just so you have a clear picture of what is needed. Dokovic is an elite player, while Herbert is not. No one would be shocked if Djokovic covered.

Why Pierre-Hugues Herbert Could Cover The Spread

Djokovic will win this match, but covering the spread — at his level of rough and patchy form — is dicey. Djokovic could win this match 6-4, 6-3, 6-2 — which is by all accounts a very decisive and comfortable win — and yet Herbert would cover if that is the final scoreline. The spread is a large one, and as long as Herbert can win four games in one set and not lose another set by a blowout score, he should cover.

Final Novak Djokovic-Pierre Hugues Herbert Prediction & Pick

Djokovic's rust and overall ragged form give Herbert a chance to cover the large spread. Take Herbert here.

Final Novak Djokovic-Pierre Hugues Herbert Prediction & Pick: Herbert +9.5 games