Novak Djokovic admitted his French Open semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner could well be his final match at Rolland Garros, sparking suggestions about his potential retirement from tennis. The 38-year-old was seeking to win a record-breaking 25th grand slam singles, but was denied in straight sets by World No.1 Sinner. Djokovic took his time leaving Court Philippe-Chatrier after his 6-4 7-5 7-6 defeat, putting down his bags to applaud every corner of the stadium before touching the clay as he exited.
And the Serb admitted that his emotions were heightened knowing that could well be the final time he competes at the French Open. ‘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,’ Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. ‘But if this was the farewell match of the Roland Garros for me in my career, it was a wonderful one in terms of the atmosphere and what I got from the crowd.’ Asked if it’s more than likely that Friday’s defeat was his last French Open contest, he added: ‘I don’t know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career.
You know, I going to ‘keep on keeping on’. Jannik Sinner will face Carlos Alcaraz in Sunday’s final (Picture: Getty) ‘Twelve months at this point in my career is quite a long time. Do I wish to play more? Yes, I do. But will I be able to play in 12 months’ time here again? I don’t know. ‘Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in my plans. That’s all I can say right now. I’m going to, unless something, I don’t know, happens. ‘But I feel like I want to play Wimbledon, I want to play US Open. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I’m not so sure.’
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