Novak Djokovic hinted at the possibility of retirement following his loss at the French Open on Friday.
After his semi-final defeat to top seed Giannik Sinner, Djokovic took a moment to bid farewell to the audience as he left the court.
The 38-year-old expressed uncertainty about his future in tennis and suggested that this might have been his last match at Roland Garros. Speaking to reporters, he shared his emotional state, saying, “I don’t know if this was my final game here, which made it feel more emotional.” He reflected on his experience, commenting that if it was indeed a farewell at Roland Garros, he appreciated the crowd’s support.
“Do I want to keep playing? Yes, absolutely. But can I return here in a year? That’s uncertain,” he admitted.
In the match, Djokovic faced a tough opponent in Sinner, who ultimately secured a straight-set victory with scores of 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3).
“I lost in straight sets, but I felt like I gave him a tough time,” Djokovic remarked. “I did what I could do. That’s just how this sport works—you have to face the better players and move forward.”
Despite the loss, Djokovic expressed pride in his performance, noting that Sinner outplayed him, especially given he wasn’t at his best for this tournament.
Friday’s match marked Sinner’s fourth consecutive win against Djokovic, bringing their overall head-to-head record to 4-5 in favor of the younger player.
“Sinner is someone who thrives on a fast pace throughout the match,” Djokovic observed. “He’s incredibly fit and strikes the ball beautifully. He seldom seems out of sync—he’s playing some of the best tennis of his life.”
Sinner is set to compete against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the finals of the French Open on Sunday. “These moments are rare and special,” Sinner commented. “I feel very happy,” he added.
