Novak Djokovic hinted that his time at Roland Garros might be nearing its end after the 38-year-old fell to world No. 1 Jannik Sinner in the semifinals on Friday. Following his straight-sets defeat — 6-4, 7-5, 7-6 (7/3) — Djokovic paused on his way off Court Philippe Chatrier to acknowledge the Paris crowd with a gesture of gratitude.
“This could have been the last match I ever played here, so I don’t know. That’s why I felt a bit more emotional at the end,” Djokovic said post-match.
The three-time Roland Garros champion added, “If this turns out to be my farewell match in Paris, it was a beautiful one in terms of the atmosphere and the energy I received from the crowd. Of course, I’m not happy with the loss, but I just wanted to express my gratitude — the crowd was amazing.”
Despite his sometimes complicated rapport with the Parisian fans, Djokovic acknowledged how special their support felt this time around.
“I don’t think I’ve ever received this level of support in this stadium during a big match against a top opponent,” he said post-match. “I feel truly honoured to have experienced that.”
While his remarks sparked speculation about retirement, Djokovic clarified that he’s not stepping away from the sport just yet. He remains within reach of history, still chasing a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title — a milestone that would see him surpass Margaret Court’s all-time record for the most major singles titles.
For now, Djokovic’s journey continues — even as Roland Garros 2025 might have marked the end of an era.
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