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- 鈥楾his could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don鈥檛 know鈥�
- Djokovic has appeared in the last 21 editions of the French Open, winning in 2016, 2021 and 2023
PARIS: Novak Djokovic suggested he may well have bidden adieu to Roland Garros after the 38-year-old was defeated in the semifinals by Jannik Sinner on Friday.
Following his 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) loss to world number one Sinner, Djokovic stopped briefly on his way off Court Philippe Chatrier and took a moment to 鈥渟how his gratitude鈥� to the Paris crowd.
鈥淭his could have been the last match ever I played here, so I don鈥檛 know. That鈥檚 why I was a bit more emotional even in the end,鈥� said three-time champion Djokovic.
鈥淏ut 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.
鈥淣ot the happiest because of the loss, but, you know, I tried to show my gratitude to the crowd, because they were terrific.鈥�
Djokovic has on occasion had a fraught relationship with the Parisian public, but hailed the backing he received against Sinner.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 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 honored to experience that,鈥� he added.
However, the Serb allayed fears he would be calling time on his career just yet.
He stills stands on the brink of history after his latest tilt at a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title was foiled.
One more major victory would take him beyond Margaret Court and into outright-first on the list of players with the most Grand Slams.
鈥淎t the moment I will try to stick with the plan what I had, which is play the Grand Slams,鈥� he said.
鈥淭hose tournaments are the priorities of my schedule, my calendar. Wimbledon and US Open, yes, they are in plans. That鈥檚 all I can say right now.
鈥淚鈥檓 going to, unless something, I don鈥檛 know, happens, whatever. But I feel like I want to play Wimbledon, I want to play US Open. Those two, for sure. For the rest, I鈥檓 not so sure.鈥�
Despite the latest setback, Djokovic insisted he still has the record in his sights and hoped it will be seventh time lucky when Wimbledon starts on June 30.
鈥淥bviously Wimbledon is next, which is my childhood favorite tournament. I鈥檓 going to do everything possible to get myself ready,鈥� he said.
鈥淚 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.鈥�
Djokovic has won the title at Wimbledon seven times and is the most dominant men鈥檚 player in the history of the Australian Open with 10 victories in Melbourne.
When asked how long he had been considering his future at Roland Garros, Djokovic cryptically replied: 鈥淣ot long. You know, I don鈥檛 know.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 know really what tomorrow brings in a way at this point in my career. You know, I going to keep on keeping on.鈥�
Djokovic has appeared in the last 21 editions of the French Open 鈥� lifting the Coupe des Mousquetaires in 2016, 2021 and 2023.
Last summer, he secured the only big title to have eluded him through the majority of his career when he won Olympic gold on center court at Roland Garros.
鈥淲e hope that it鈥檚 not the case, because I feel like tennis needs him in a way,鈥� said Sinner when told of Djokovic鈥檚 comments.
鈥淗e said 鈥榤aybe鈥�, so you never know.鈥�