Novak Djokovic believes Rafael Nadal could be back for 2025 French Open

Novak Djokovic believes Rafael Nadal could be tempted to play the 2025 French Open despite living through the “unique moment” of what was generally accepted to be the Spaniard's farewell .

Djokovic and Nadal have met 59 times in their careers with 10 of those clashes coming on the red clay of Roland Garros.

Djokovic was one of the thousands in attendance on Court Philippe Chatrier on Monday as 14-time champion Nadal was knocked out in straight sets in the first round by Alexander Zverev.

“It was great. Iga (Swiatek) was there, (Carlos) Alcaraz was there, and we all wanted to get a glimpse of the atmosphere of that possibly unique moment that could be his last. But it doesn’t appear like that,” said Djokovic after making the second round on Tuesday.

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When asked if he expects Nadal to play the 2025 French Open, when he will celebrate his 39th birthday, the Serb replied: “Yeah, it looks like.”

“I think he played very well. Even though he lost in straight sets, the second and third were really close.

“He could have easily won one of those two sets, and maybe the match was going in a different direction.”

After the match, Nadal said he was unable to make any commitment on his future plans.

Meanwhile, Zverev joined Djokovic and Robin Soderling as the only men to have beaten Nadal at Roland Garros since 2005.

“He was a bit unlucky with the draw, because Zverev is in a great form, winning Rome, and he was serving extremely well,” added Djokovic.

“It’s tough to play Sascha when he’s feeling the ball so well. But it was great to watch. I don’t recall last time I actually watched a set of any match live on that level, other than Davis Cup matches.”

Djokovic not getting ’excited’ after first round

Djokovic moved into the French Open second round for the 20th time but insisted he “won’t get too excited” after enduring a worrying decline in form and achievements this season.

Djokovic, chasing a fourth Roland Garros title and record 25th Grand Slam triumph, came through against Pierre-Hugues Herbert .

However, without a title or even a place in a final this season for the first time since 2018, Djokovic wasn’t getting too far ahead of himself.

“In Monte-Carlo (beaten in the semi-finals), Rome (lost in the 3rd round) and Geneva (beaten in the semi-finals), I started the tournament really well. My first matches were great,” he said.

“But the second or third, it was something else… So I don’t want to get too excited.”

The Serb’s best runs this season have been to the semi-finals of the Australian Open, where he lost his title to Jannik Sinner, Monte Carlo and Geneva.

Adding injury to insult he was then accidentally hit on the head by a metal water bottle in Rome and suffered stomach problems at the Switzerland event last week.

“It was a good performance tonight from me,” added Djokovic after his 93rd career win at Roland Garros.

“It was solid. I could have done better on the return games, but congratulations to him for serving very well.

“I felt better compared to the previous weeks. I’m moving in the right direction. But it’s only the beginning. It’s only one match. We have to see how I will progress in the tournament, how my feelings will evolve.”

Djokovic, who has advanced to the French Open quarter-finals or better every year since 2010, will face Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena for a place in the last 32.

“I’m happy with my state of mind on the court, it’s something I was looking for,” added Djokovic.

“And where are you going to feel that if it’s not in the Grand Slams? I’ve been saying it over the last few years, the Grand Slam tournaments are the ones that make me get up every morning and go train. I hope to go far once again.”