French Open 2025: Boris Becker calls for 'incredible athlete' Novak Djokovic to return to Roland-Garros again after semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner
ByOli Gent
Updated 07/06/2025 at 14:24 GMT+1
TNT Sports expert Boris Becker called for Novak Djokovic to return to the French Open one more time after the Serb was beaten in the semi-finals by Jannik Sinner. Djokovic, the three-time winner at Roland-Garros, was chasing a 25th Grand Slam title in Paris, but fell to a straight-sets defeat on Court Philippe-Chatrier against the world No. 1, who takes on Carlos Alcaraz on Sunday.
Highlights: Sinner sinks Djokovic in straight sets to reach final at Roland-Garros
Video credit: TNT Sports
TNT Sports expert Boris Becker has said that he would like Novak Djokovic to return to the French Open after the Serb’s semi-final defeat to Jannik Sinner.
Djokovic, the three-time champion at Roland-Garros, kissed the clay and made his way to the centre of Court Philippe-Chatrier to offer his thanks and respects to the Parisian crowd.
The 24-time major winner was defeated in straight sets by the world No. 1, who came through a third-set tie-break to book his place in Sunday’s final against defending champion Carlos Alcaraz.
However, while Sinner and Alcaraz are the young blood dominating the top table of men’s tennis, it remains to be seen whether Djokovic, one of the sport’s true greats, will return to Roland-Garros.
The 38-year-old was bidding for a 25th Grand Slam of his career in the French capital, but his poor form in the lead-up to the tournament had left him seeded sixth, vulnerable to meeting either Alcaraz or Sinner in the latter rounds.
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Watch as 'magnificent' Sinner beats Djokovic in straight sets to reach French Open final
Video credit: TNT Sports
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He had beaten third seed Alexander Zverev in four sets in the quarter-finals, but Sinner proved too strong in the last four.
However, Becker, speaking after the match, said that Djokovic had to "get through the year" following the defeat.
"I would like Djokovic to come back to the French Open," the German said. "He has to get through the year well now, but it could always be the last time for him. For me, it was a test for Wimbledon. Novak's serve was good, as was his volley. His match fitness was also good.
"He did everything right. It's okay that Djokovic lost today - but Novak is still a force to be reckoned with."
Becker praised Sinner’s "poker face", calling it the best in tennis, making the Italian incredibly hard to read.
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Djokovic asks umpire 'What are you talking about?' over controversial call
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"Sinner has the best poker face in tennis, better than Alcaraz, better than everyone else," Becker continued. "You really can't tell how he's doing."
Fellow TNT Sports pundit Tim Henman was intrigued at Djokovic’s decision to linger on the court after the match, instead of immediately making his way back to the locker room.
"He took a slow walk, but didn’t go directly off the court," Henman observed. "He went to the middle of the court to pay his respects and thanks to the Parisian crowd.
"I haven’t seen him do that too many other times when he’s walked off court. It’ll be interesting to hear what he does say afterwards."
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Sinner praises 'role model' Djokovic after 'special' semi-final
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As for Djokovic’s match-play, Henman emphasised how the Serb was an "incredible athlete", but hinted that his age could well be catching up to him against the spritely 23-year-old Sinner.
"They were physical," Henman said of the rallies. "I don’t think the match was won and lost with the physicality, but when you see the scoreline - three straight sets - that emphasises how close the sets were and how long the games and rallies were.
"Sinner was prepared for that. That was part of his game plan. Djokovic is an incredible athlete - one of the best to play the game - but as you get older, it gets harder. As the match went on, Sinner would have been comfortable with that."
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'He wants to win 25 majors' - Becker on Djokovic retirement talk after French Open
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As for where the defeat leaves Djokovic, Becker was clear that the Serbian great has shown glimpses this year that he can still compete with the best - despite missing out at the two majors, which are the tournaments he has been clear he prizes above all others now.
"It is to be expected, he is 38 and his year has been average - Melbourne semi-final was good, Miami final was great, but then on the clay court, apart from Geneva, it was substandard," the German explained.
"And yes, to ask himself the question, if he doesn’t win enough, why would he continue to play? I mean, he wants to win 25 majors, that’s his goal.
"He’s good on grass, and it’s easier for him on grass than it is on clay. With the performance he’s had this week, why not?
"But then, in a year’s time, who knows if we will see him back at Roland-Garros."
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