 "Novak Djokovic gestures to the crowd at Court Philippe-Chatrier after bowing out of the French Open with a semi-final defeat against Jannik Sinner. AP")
Novak Djokovic dropped a major hint on his future after bowing out of the ongoing French Open with a semi-final defeat at the hands of Jannik Sinner on Friday. Sinner handed 38-year-old Djokovic a straight-sets defeat (6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3)) in the second men’s singles semi-final on Friday to setup a showdown with defending champion Carlos Alcaraz, who progressed into the final after his opponent Lorenzo Musetti retired with an injury in the fourth set.
The defeat extends Djokovic’s quest for a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam triumph, with the Serbian superstar having not won a Major since the 2023 US Open. A maiden Olympic gold medal at Roland Garros during last year’s Paris Olympics has been Djokovic’s biggest achievement during this period.
Djokovic remained hopeful of achieving the historic feat, which would make him the most successful player of all time, at the Wimbledon that takes place next month or on the faster hard-court at the Australian Open. He did however, drop a line that is sure to get the tennis world buzzing about his future in the sport.
“This could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don’t know. That’s why I was a bit more emotional even in the end,” three-time Roland Garros champion Djokovic said after his defeat.
“But if this was the farewell match of Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.
“Not the happiest because of the loss, but, you know, I tried to show my gratitude to the crowd, because they were terrific,” he added.
‘Don’t think I have ever received this much support in this stadium’
Djokovic had earlier attended an emotional farewell ceremony for 14-time French Open champion Rafael Nadal on the opening evening of the event, where fellow legends Roger Federer and Andy Murray were also present.
The Serb was the only member of the group still playing professionally, with Nadal having made the final appearance of his storied career at the Davis Cup Finals in Malaga in November last year.
Djokovic also thanked the city of Paris for the support he received during his semi-final meeting with Sinner, remarking that he had never received as much support from the French Open crowd in the past.
“I don’t think I have ever received this much support in this stadium in my career in big matches against the best players in the world. So very, very honoured to experience that,” Djokovic added.
Djokovic sets sights on Wimbledon after French Open heartbreak
As for the elusive 25th Grand Slam, Djokovic is hopeful of ending a wait that has spanned nearly two years next month at the Wimbledon, where he is a seven-time champion.
And if that doesn’t work out, he might experience better luck on the hard-court that is used for the Australian Open, where he has won nearly half (10) of his career Grand Slam titles.
“Obviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favourite tournament. I’m going to do everything possible to get myself ready,” he said.
“I guess my best chances (of winning) maybe are Wimbledon, you know, to win another Slam, or faster hard court, maybe Australia or something like that.”