Novak Djokovic trades his racket for a bicycle and takes a nighttime ride around Paris

PARIS (AP) — Novak Djokovic traded his racket for a bicycle and swapped the French Open's clay courts for the cobblestone streets of Paris during a nighttime trip around the Arc de Triomphe.

“I have done some bike rides in the past in Paris, but I haven’t done one in a while,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said after his second-round victory over Corentin Moutet in the tournament on Thursday. “Roland-Garros was kind enough to gift me a bicycle, so I used it yesterday for the first time.”

Less than 24 hours before that match — in which he needed a medical timeout for treatment of a blister on his big left toe — Djokovic was spotted taking in the sights like a tourist while getting some exercise.

Someone filmed Djokovic and posted a short clip on social media.

Wearing a dark blue track suit, sneakers and a properly fastened helmet — safety first! — the 38-year-old Serbian star pedaled through the famously hectic roundabout at one end of the Champs-Élysées.

Not exactly the most bike-friendly spot in the City of Light, but Djokovic looked perfectly at ease.

“We were kind of trying our luck a little bit with that roundabout at the Arc de Triomphe. To be honest, at one point, we had cars all over the place. It was quite an adrenaline experience, but I don’t think I will repeat that, especially in that environment where we were filmed,” he said. “Probably in all other streets, it’s much more safe. But, yeah, we were crazy enough to get into that roundabout. It was fun but at one point but also a bit dangerous.”

Someone called out, “I love you!” and Djokovic responded with a grin and said, “I love you, too.”

He just won his 100th career title and now his aiming for his record 25th at a major tournament.

“It’s great to see Paris from the bicycle. I think it’s just more fun. You’re not stuck in traffic. With the car, at times, it can be frustrating for whatever reason," Djokovic said. "But with the bicycle, it’s just beautiful.”

Associated Press Writer Tom Nouvian contributed to this report.

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Serbia's Novak Djokovic receives medical assistance during his second round match of the French Tennis Open against France's Corentin Moutet, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic celebrates beating France's Corentin Moutet after their second round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Thursday, May 29, 2025. (AP Photo/Christophe Ena)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic returns the ball to Mackenzie McDonald of the U.S. during their first round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

Rafa Nadal, second from left, is joined by Roger Federer, left, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray, right, during a farewell ceremony at center court Philippe-Chatrier, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Sunday May 25, 2025. (AP Photo/Lindsey Wasson)

Serbia's Novak Djokovic talks with officials as he plays Mackenzie McDonald of the U.S. during their first round match of the French Tennis Open, at the Roland-Garros stadium, in Paris, Tuesday, May 27, 2025. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

STAWELL, Australia (AP) — American sprint star Sha’Carri Richardson surged through the field Monday to win the Stawell Gift, an annual race contested on handicap over 120 meters on grass in a small Australian town near Melbourne.

In the 144th edition of the event, Richardson provided one of its most breathtaking finales as she started at scratch and caught the field at the 90-meter mark before pulling away for an astonishing win in 13.15 seconds.

“Just make sure I’m patient that first 10-meters like my coach today told me, and just executing the rest,” Richardson told Seven Network television post race. “I think I realized I was gonna win right past 90.”

The 26-year-old American, one of the fastest women of all time, is just the third woman to win the race from scratch and claimed a prize of 40,000 Australian dollars ($27,500).

Richardson won a silver medal in the 100 meters in the 2024 Paris Olympics, and gold in the 4x100 relay that same year. She also claimed the 100-meter title at the 2023 World Championships.

After a near calamity in the semifinals earlier Monday, where Richardson rose too soon and was almost pipped on the line, the American made no errors in the final, chasing down the field early and running through the line powerfully.

She celebrated with fans before embracing boyfriend and former world champion Christian Coleman, who was the marquee name of the men's draw. She and Coleman remain in a relationship despite a domestic violence charge against Richardson last July.

“This is one of the most exciting, fun, and entertaining track meets I’ve ever ran in, not even just that, but the love, the true love and support for track and field, unbeatable,” she said.

Former 100-meter World Champion, Coleman failed to qualify for the men's final after finishing sixth in his semifinal earlier Monday with 12.48 seconds. Only the winners of the six semifinals for both the men's and women's division qualified for the respective finals.

Both Richardson and Coleman raced from “scratch” meaning they were required to run the entire distance and chase down opponents, which proved too much of a gulf to bridge for Coleman, despite him closing the gap appreciably in the latter stages of his heat.

“Yeah, it is what it is, but I mean, I gave it everything I got, like you said, they’re great athletes, so when you’re giving up that much of a margin, I mean, it’s pretty tough,” Coleman said to Seven Network television.

Australian Olufemi Komolafe won the men’s Stawell Gift ahead of Jake Ireland and Dutchman Liam van der Schaaf.

Earlier Monday, Richardson powered through the field to win her semifinal by just 0.007 seconds after she leaned back at the finish allowing local Halle Martin to almost steal the race in a photo finish.

“I feel like I am having a great time, but also working on race pattern, me and my coach Dennis Mitchell staying calm, executing, and running through the line,” Richardson said after the semifinal.

In Saturday’s heats, Richardson, who gave away 10 meters to her closest competitor at the start, won her heat in 13.815 seconds Saturday and Coleman his in 12.681.

There are more than 700 competitors in the Stawell race, including many of Australia’s top runners, in the event held about 235 kilometers (145 miles) west of Melbourne.

It has not been disclosed whether Richardson or Coleman have been paid appearance money to take part in the race. Last year Australian media reported that top Australian sprinter Gout Gout was paid 50,000 Australian dollars (35,000) to run at Stawell, where he was eliminated in the semifinals.

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Christian Coleman from the U.S. races in the semifinals of the men's Stawell Gift in Stawell, Australia, Monday, April 6, 2026. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)

Sha'Carri Richardson of the U.S., holds her trophy as she celebrates winning the women's Stawell Gift in Stawell, Australia, Monday, April 6, 2026. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)

Sha'Carri Richardson of the U.S., second left, celebrates winning the women's Stawell Gift in Stawell, Australia, Monday, April 6, 2026. (Joel Carrett/AAP Image via AP)

FILE - Christian Coleman of United States celebrates winning the men's 100m competition during the World Athletics Diamond League final 2025 athletics meeting in Zurich, Switzerland, Thursday, Aug. 28, 2025. (Michael Buholzer/Keystone via AP, File)

FILE - Sha'carri Richardson, of the United States, competes in the women's 100-meter semifinals at the 2024 Summer Olympics, on Aug. 3, 2024, in Saint-Denis, France. (AP Photo/Matthias Schrader, File)