Seeded 20th and carrying a rib issue into the tournament, Norrie had chances to seize control early, but his inability to convert pressure moments proved costly. He missed four set points in the opener before eventually dropping a tense tie-break 9-7.
From there, his movement visibly deteriorated. After conceding the first set, Norrie lasted only two more games before walking to the net at 2-0 down in the second set to shake hands and end his match early, bringing a sudden halt to what had already been a physically compromised campaign.
Walton stuns Medvedev in five-set rollercoaster
There was a major shock elsewhere as Australia’s wildcard entrant Adam Walton produced one of the biggest wins of his career, outlasting former US Open champion Daniil Medvedev in a dramatic five-set battle.
Walton prevailed 6-2, 1-6, 6-1, 1-6, 6-4 in a match defined by wild momentum swings and relentless shifts in control. Speaking after the win, he admitted the belief came from a previous encounter that had already shown him he could compete at this level.
“It's huge,” Walton said of the victory in his on-court interview, adding a win over Medvedev in Cincinnati last year had given him the confidence to repeat the feat.
“I knew I could do it and I believed, so I'm just happy with my performance. I'm really excited right now.
"I'm pretty tired right now. It was such an up-and-down match. I got off to a hot start, and I felt like the ebbs and flows of the match were quite large today. I'm just really proud of my efforts in the fifth set, to come from a break down to get the win."
Tsitsipas advances after Muller injury heartbreak
Former finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas was well in control when his opponent, France’s Alexandre Muller, was forced to retire while trailing 6-2, 3-0.
Muller, visibly distressed, left the court in tears after sustaining a right calf injury—his second significant calf problem in just three months following an earlier issue with his left leg. The abrupt finish sent Tsitsipas into the next round, though the match ended under unfortunate circumstances for the home crowd favourite.
Kouamé announces himself on the Grand Slam stage
A new name lit up the tournament as French teenager Moïse Kouame delivered a composed and commanding straight-sets win over veteran former US Open champion Marin Cilic, 7-6 (4), 6-2, 6-1.
At just 17 years and two months, Kouamé became the youngest man to win a Grand Slam match in 17 years, the youngest to advance beyond the first round at Roland Garros since 1991, and the first male player born in 2008 or later to win at this level.
The result came a day after the emotional farewell appearance of French icon Gael Monfils, adding symbolic weight to a changing of the guard on Court Simonne-Mathieu.
The ATP Tour also noted the significance of the milestone, while the Paris crowd embraced the moment, chanting his name as he acknowledged them after the win.
"It's not easy to stay in the present without thinking of the score," Kouamé said. "It wouldn't have been possible without the huge help you (the crowd) gave me."
His rapid rise has been building for months. Earlier in March, he became the youngest winner in Miami Masters history when he defeated Zachary Svajda in the opening round, a breakthrough that even drew praise from 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic.
A tournament already defined by shocks and shifting narratives
With injuries, upsets, and breakthrough performances all emerging on day one, the opening chapter of Roland Garros has already set a volatile tone. From early retirements to breakthrough wins, the draw is quickly reshaping before the second round even begins.