PARIS — Novak Djokovic is not sure he’ll play on the French Open ever once more after dropping to top-ranked Jannik Sinner within the semifinals on Friday.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion solid doubt on whether or not he might be again at Roland-Garros subsequent 12 months, when he might be 39. Moments after dropping 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (3), Djokovic took the time to place his bag down and applaud all sides of Court docket Philippe-Chatrier.
“I imply, this might have been the final match ever I performed right here, so I don’t know. That’s why I used to be a bit extra emotional even ultimately,” Djokovic stated.
“But when this was the farewell match of the Roland-Garros for me in my profession, it was a beautiful one when it comes to the environment and what I received from the gang.”
He kissed his hand after the defeat, then put it on the clay, as if saying farewell to the French Open, the place he was champion thrice. He pulled his baggage up, regarded excessive up into the stands, and headed right down to the tunnel.
“Do I want to play extra, sure I do. However will I have the ability to play right here in 12 months’ time, I don’t know,” Djokovic stated. “I stated it might have been my final match (right here), I did not say it was.”
Djokovic stated he undoubtedly intends to play at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, however is just not positive about his plans after that.
“I don’t know actually what tomorrow brings in a approach at this level in my profession. You recognize, I’m going to maintain on conserving on,” he stated. “Wimbledon is subsequent, which is my childhood favourite match. I’m going to do every little thing doable to get myself prepared.”
He received an historic a centesimal singles title simply earlier than the French Open, however primarily continues to play so as to add to his report haul of Grand Slams. He’s pushed to win a twenty fifth Grand Slam, to have sole custody of probably the most main titles in males’s and ladies’s tennis.
However his final Grand Slam title was on the 2023 U.S. Open. He did not win a Grand Slam final 12 months for the primary time in seven years.
“I assume my greatest possibilities perhaps are Wimbledon, you already know, to win one other slam or quicker laborious courtroom,” he stated.
He received the French Open in 2016, ‘21 and ’23. His final Wimbledon title was in 2022.
“Wimbledon and U.S. Open, sure, they’re in plans. That is all I can say proper now,” he stated. “However I really feel like I need to play Wimbledon, I need to play U.S. Open. These two, for positive. For the remainder, I’m not so positive.”
Sinner hopes Djokovic sticks round some time longer.
“Initially, I hope it’s not the case (he retires quickly) as a result of tennis wants him. It’s so good and wonderful to have somebody completely different than the youthful guys,” the 23-year-old Italian stated. “From my standpoint, it’s nice to see him within the locker room and to see his enthusiasm. He’s a real function mannequin for all of us.”
